espouse
[ ih-spouz, ih-spous ]
/ ɪˈspaʊz, ɪˈspaʊs /
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verb (used with object), es·poused, es·pous·ing.
to make one's own; adopt or embrace, as a cause.
Archaic. to marry.
Archaic. to give or promise to give (a woman) in marriage.
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The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Origin of espouse
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French espouser , from Latin spōnsāre “to betroth, espouse”
OTHER WORDS FROM espouse
es·pous·er, nounWords nearby espouse
ESPN, Espoo, esports, Esposito, espousal, espouse, espoused, espressivo, espresso, esprit, esprit de corps
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for espouse
British Dictionary definitions for espouse
espouse
/ (ɪˈspaʊz) /
verb (tr)
to adopt or give support to (a cause, ideal, etc)to espouse socialism
archaic (esp of a man) to take as spouse; marry
Derived forms of espouse
espouser, nounWord Origin for espouse
C15: from Old French espouser, from Latin spōnsāre to affiance, espouse
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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