espousal
pronunciation
How to pronounce espousal in British English:
UK [ɪ'spaʊzl]
How to pronounce espousal in American English:
US [ɪˈspaʊzəl, -səl]
-
- Noun:
- archaic terms for a wedding or wedding feast
- the act of becoming betrothed or engaged
- the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception
Word Origin
- espousal (n.)
- late 14c., from Old French esposailles (plural) "act of betrothal" (12c., Modern French époussailles), from Latin sponsalia "betrothal, espousal, wedding," noun use of neuter plural of sponsalis "of a betrothal," from sponsa "spouse" (see espouse). For the -e- see e-. Figuratively, of causes, principles, etc., from 1670s.
Example
- 1. Abu iyad is now said to be preaching non-violence , despite his former espousal of jihad in afghanistan .
- 2. Its ruling spirits combine a penchant for micro and industrial policies that destroy jobs with an espousal of deflationary macro policies .
- 3. If at the end of it , he is seen to have used the judicial system to settle personal political scores , his espousal of democracy will look hollow .
- 4. But republicans should remember that there are reasons why texas remains exceptional , one of which is that , for all the nation 's ritualised espousal of self-reliance , millions of voters still look to government for help in hard times .
- 5. This espousal of disarmament lost him many friends .