Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
Spouse — (spouz), n. [OF. espous, espos, fem. espouse, F. [ e]poux, [ e]pouse, fr. L. sponsus, sponsa, prop. p. p. of spondere, sponsum, to promise solemnly, to engage one s self. Cf. {Despond}, {Espouse}, {Respond}, {Sponsor}.] 1. A man or woman engaged… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Spouse — (spouz), v. t. [See {Espouse}, and {Spouse}, n.] To wed; to espouse. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] This markis hath her spoused with a ring. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] Though spoused, yet wanting wedlock s solemnize. Spenser. [1913 Webster] She was found… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
spouse — I noun coniunx, consort espouse, helpmate, helpmeet, husband, marital partner, marriage partner, mate, wife II index consort Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
spouse — spouse·hood; spouse·less; spouse; … English syllables
spouse — c.1200, a married woman in relation to her husband (also of men), from O.Fr. spus (fem. spuse), from L. sponsus bridegroom (fem. sponsa bride ), from masc. and fem. pp. of spondere to bind oneself, promise solemnly, from PIE *spend to make an… … Etymology dictionary
spouse — [spaus, spauz] n formal [Date: 1100 1200; : Old French; Origin: espous(e), from Latin sponsus promised (in marriage) , from spondere; SPONSOR1] a husband or wife ▪ Spouses were invited to the company picnic. >spousal [ˈspauzəl] adj ▪ spousal… … Dictionary of contemporary English
spouse — [ spaus ] noun count FORMAL * a husband or wife … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
spouse — is a convenient gender neutral term, less formal in tone than it once was, for a married man in relation to his wife and a married woman in relation to her husband … Modern English usage
spouse — [n] one of a married couple better half*, bride, companion, groom, helpmate, husband, man, mate, partner, roommate, wife, woman; concept 414 … New thesaurus
spouse — ► NOUN ▪ a husband or wife. ORIGIN Latin sponsus, from spondere betroth … English terms dictionary
spouse — [spous; ] also, esp. for vt. [, spouz] n. [ME spus < OFr espous < L sponsus, betrothed, pp. of spondere: see SPONSOR] a partner in marriage; (one s) husband or wife vt. spoused, spousing Archaic to marry; wed … English World dictionary
