Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Spouse?

\Spouse\, 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 or joined in wedlock; a married person, husband or wife. At last such grace I found, and means I wrought, That that lady to my spouse had won. --Spenser. 2. A married man, in distinct from a spousess or married woman; a bridegroom or husband. [Obs.] At which marriage was [were] no person present but the spouse, the spousess, the Duchess of Bedford her mother, the priest, two gentlewomen, and a young man. --Fabyan.
\Spouse\, v. t. [See {Espouse}, and Spouse, n.] To wed; to espouse. [Obs.] This markis hath her spoused with a ring. --Chaucer. Though spoused, yet wanting wedlock's solemnize. --Spenser. She was found again, and spoused to Marinell. --Spenser.