spouse
pronunciation
How to pronounce spouse in British English:
UK [spaʊs]
How to pronounce spouse in American English:
US [spaʊs]
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- Noun:
- a person's partner in marriage
Word Origin
- spouse
- spouse: [12] A spouse is etymologically someone who has made a ‘promise’ to another – in this case, of marriage. The word comes via Old French spous, spouse from Latin spōnsus ‘bridegroom’ and spōnsa ‘bride’, noun uses of the past participle of spondēre ‘promise solemnly, betroth’ (source of English despondent and sponsor).=> sponsor
- spouse (n.)
- c. 1200, "a married person, either one of a married pair, but especially a married woman in relation to her husband," also "Christ or God as the spiritual husband of the soul, the church, etc.," also "marriage, the wedded state," from Old French spous (fem. spouse) "marriage partner," variant of espous/espouse (Modern French épous/épouse), from Latin sponsus "bridegroom" (fem. sponsa "bride"), literally "betrothed," from masc. and fem. past participle of spondere "to bind oneself, promise solemnly," from PIE *spend- "to make an offering, perform a rite" (see spondee). Spouse-breach (early 13c.) was an old name for "adultery."
Example
- 1. There are two ways to be a political spouse .
- 2. Alone with your spouse , she 's the most important .
- 3. Easing the burden of caring for a spouse with dementia ?
- 4. Are you cheating on your spouse ?
- 5. Betraying your spouse 's trust is a serious matter .