spousal

[ spou-zuh l ]

/ ˈspaʊ zəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR spousal ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Often spousals. the ceremony of marriage; nuptials.

adjective

nuptial; matrimonial.

Nearby words

spotted wilt, spotted wintergreen, spotter, spottie, spotty, spousal, spouse, spout, spout cup, spouted, spouting

Origin of spousal

1250–1300; Middle English spousaille, aphetic variant of espousaille espousal

Related forms

spous·al·ly, adverbin·ter·spous·al, adjectivein·ter·spous·al·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for spousal

Frostee Rucker had a one-game suspension overturned by Goodell in 2007 despite two counts of spousal battery.
The NFL Is Full of Ray Rices|Robert Silverman|September 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Spousal coverage: If you have access to health insurance through a spouse, are you more likely to own a business?
Obamacare: Job Killer or Entrepreneurial Turbocharger?|Megan McArdle|June 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This is not only time consuming, but also, creates opportunities for spousal arguments.
One Reason Women Stay Home: Because It's Easier on Everyone|Megan McArdle|March 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
To the extent that he's thinking of the spousal angle, I think there's no doubt that Hillary is better off if Obama wins.
Previewing the Big Dog|Michael Tomasky|September 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Guest resigned to protest the lack of spousal benefits for his partner.
How President Obama, in Six Days, Decided to Come Out for Gay Marriage|Howard Kurtz|May 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Shall she see her spousal and her home, her parents and children, attended by a crowd of Trojan women and Phrygians to serve her?
The Aeneid of Virgil|Virgil
The festal hall was decked for his reception, the spousal banquet spread, the goblet graced the board.
Essay on the Life and Institutions of Offa, King of Mercia, A.D. 755-794|Henry Mackenzie
A remarkable exhibition of Aminta the woman was, her entire change of front since he had taken her spousal chill.
Lord Ormont and his Aminta, Complete|George Meredith
Dost thou deem the mock blessing of yon mad hermit a spousal rite?
The World's Greatest Books, Vol IV.|Editors: Arthur Mee and J.A. Hammerton
The spousal rings placed on their fingers were of gold, adorned with a sapphire, and were provided at the expense of the King.
Finger-Ring Lore|William Jones

British Dictionary definitions for spousal

spousal

/ (ˈspaʊzəl) /

noun

(often plural)

the marriage ceremony
a wedding

adjective

of or relating to marriage

Derived Forms

spousally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012