antenuptial
Americanadjective
Pronunciation
See nuptial.
Usage
What does antenuptial mean? Antenuptial means before marriage. The word prenuptial means the same thing and is much more commonly used. Prenuptial is especially used in the term prenuptial agreement, which refers to a legal contract entered into by a couple before marriage that specifies things like the division of their finances and assets, especially in case the marriage ends, such as through divorce. Prenuptial agreements are far more commonly referred to with the informal term prenup. The terms antenuptial agreement and antenuptial marriage contract mean the same thing as prenuptial agreement, but they are much less commonly used. The word antenuptial is sometimes used as a noun to refer to such contracts. Example: Everyone thought it was strange that we had an antenuptial agreement, but life is unpredictable.
Etymology
Origin of antenuptial
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The first question that arises is as to the condition of this contract under evidence—this antenuptial contract.
From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 10 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Legal by Ingersoll, Robert Green
That leaves us without any antenuptial contract, without any agreement to provide liberally for her in the will.
From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 10 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Legal by Ingersoll, Robert Green
"A sort of antenuptial divorce law, eh?" suggested Upton.
From The Booming of Acre Hill And Other Reminiscences of Urban and Suburban Life by Bangs, John Kendrick
How many ideals are shattered by the intimacy of marriage, simply because the antenuptial love has been based upon fiction and misunderstanding.
From The Etiquette of Engagement and Marriage Describing Modern Manners and Customs of Courtship and Marriage, and giving Full Details regarding the Wedding Ceremony and Arrangements by Devereux, G. R. M.
It was given to me before my marriage, made legally over to me in my antenuptial contract.
From All the Days of My Life: An Autobiography The Red Leaves of a Human Heart by Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
