espouse
[ih-spouz, ih-spous]
- to make one's own; adopt or embrace, as a cause.
- to marry.
- to give (a woman) in marriage.
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Origin of espouse
1425–75; late Middle English < Middle French espouser < Latin spōnsāre to betroth, espouse
Synonyms
See more synonyms for espouse on Thesaurus.com1. support, champion, advocate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for espouse
Contemporary Examples
While these entities may find common cause in the act of sanctioning, they often espouse different goals.
Some espouse deaf culture as the better, more natural, way of life.
Meyerson is clearly perplexed by politicians who not only espouse principles but act according to them.
The right loves to bash New York's Citi Bike system, but bike share embodies the privatized, self-reliant ideals they espouse.
Instead I am going to write about the more interesting aspects of games: what sort of politics do they espouse?
Historical Examples
Among the first to espouse the abolition doctrines was Judge Tilden.
Cleveland Past and PresentMaurice Joblin
I wish the one you espouse at present, much joy of the acquisition it has made.'
Barnaby RudgeCharles Dickens
Me, Morgan la fée, espouse one of these roistering, cursing foreigners?
Louisiana LouWilliam West Winter
He had said that he had changed his mind and should not continue to espouse the Thomas cause.
Cy Whittaker's PlaceJoseph C. Lincoln
His clan were, however, anxious to espouse the cause of Charles Edward.
Memoirs of the Jacobites of 1715 and 1745Mrs. Thomson
espouse
- to adopt or give support to (a cause, ideal, etc)to espouse socialism
- archaic (esp of a man) to take as spouse; marry
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Word Origin
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
v.
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper