ESPOUSAL

espousal. Espousal, a. relating to espousals or betrothing

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Es‐pous″al (?), n. [[OF. espousailles, pl., F. épousailles, L. sponsalia, fr. sponsalis belonging to betrothal or espousal. See Espouse, and cf. Sponsal, Spousal.]] 1. 1. The act of espousing or betrothing; especially, in the plural, betrothal; plighting of the troths; a contract of marriage; sometimes, the marriage ceremony.
2. 2. The uniting or allying one's self with anything; maintenance; adoption; as, the espousal of a quarrel.
The open espousal of his cause. Lord Orford.