- betroth
- \ \ see TRUE
Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
betroth
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betroth — [bē trōth′, bētrôth′; bitrōth′, bitrôth′] vt. [ME bitrouthen < be , BE + treuthe < OE treowth, truth] 1. Obs. to promise to marry 2. to promise in marriage [to betroth a daughter] … English World dictionary
Betroth — Be*troth , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Betrothed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Betrothing}.] [Pref. be + troth, i. e., truth. See {Truth}.] 1. To contract to any one for a marriage; to engage or promise in order to marriage; to affiance; used esp. of a woman.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
betroth — (v.) c.1300, betrouthen, from bi , here probably with a sense of thoroughly, + M.E. treowðe truth, from O.E. treowðe truth, a pledge (see TROTH (Cf. troth)). Related: BETROTHED (Cf. Betrothed); betrothing … Etymology dictionary
betroth — [v] marry affiance, become engaged, bind, commit, contract, engage, espouse, give one’s hand, make compact, plight faith, plight troth, promise, tie oneself to, vow; concept 297 Ant. divorce, leave, separate … New thesaurus
betroth — transitive verb Etymology: Middle English, from be + trouthe truth, troth Date: 14th century 1. to promise to marry 2. to give in marriage … New Collegiate Dictionary
betroth — /bi trohdh , trawth /, v.t. 1. to arrange for the marriage of; affiance (usually used in passive constructions): The couple was betrothed with the approval of both families. 2. Archaic. to promise to marry. [1275 1325; ME betrouthe, var. of… … Universalium
betroth — verb /bəˈtroʊð,bəˈtrɔθ/ To promise to give in marriage. He betrothed his daughter to a distant relative. See Also: affiance, fiancé, fiancée, plight, troth, marriage … Wiktionary
Betroth — To promise by one s truth. Men and women were betrothed when they were engaged to be married. This usually took place a year or more before marriage. From the time of betrothal the woman was regarded as the lawful wife of the man to whom she… … Easton's Bible Dictionary
betroth — v. (rare) (B) they were betrothed to each other at an early age * * * [bɪ trəʊð] (rare) (B) they were betrothed to each other at an early age … Combinatory dictionary
betroth — (Roget s IV) v. Syn. publish the banns, become engaged, bestow one s hand, give one s hand, contract, pledge, promise, precontract, plight faith, plight troth, bind, engage, affiance, commit oneself to, undertake to marry, espouse … English dictionary for students
betroth — see TRUE … The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins
