Espouse
/ɪˈspaʊz/noun
To marry or formally adopt a cause, belief, or policy.
Did you know?Espouse entered English through French as a marriage term, and its deeper Latin ancestor is the same root behind “spouse,” so the word still carries the ancient logic of being bound to another person or cause.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
spondēre
“to promise solemnly, pledge, or betroth”
Late Latin
Late Latin
sponsāre
“to betroth or engage by promise”
Old French
Old French
espouser
“to marry”
Middle English
English
espousen
“to marry; to take as a spouse”
Modern English
English
espouse
“to marry or to adopt and support formally”
Explore more surprising origins