espouse
[ ih-spouz, ih-spous ]
/ ɪˈspaʊz, ɪˈspaʊs /
verb (used with object), es·poused, es·pous·ing.
to make one's own; adopt or embrace, as a cause.
to marry.
to give (a woman) in marriage.
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Nearby words
espn, espoo, esports, esposito, espousal, espouse, espressivo, espresso, esprit, esprit de corps, esprit de l'escalier
Origin of espouse
1425–75; late Middle English < Middle French espouser < Latin spōnsāre to betroth, espouse
Related formses·pous·er, nounun·es·poused, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples 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 Formsespouser, noun
Word Origin for espouse
C15: from Old French espouser, from Latin spōnsāre to affiance, espouse
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for espouse
espouse
mid-15c., "to take as spouse, marry," from Old French espouser "marry, take in marriage, join in marriage" (11c., Modern French épouser), from Latin sponsare, past participle of spondere (see espousal).
Extended sense of "adopt, embrace" a cause, party, etc., is from 1620s. Related: Espoused; espouses; espousing. For initial e-, see especial.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper