Wedlock
/ˈwɛd.lɒk/noun
The state of being married; marriage.
Did you know?The term 'wedlock' derives from a time when marriage was often seen as a binding ritual, invoking the protection of deities.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*wēdō
“a pledge or vow, often tied to marriage and commitment.”
Old English
OE
weddoc
“a state of being pledged or married, linked to the concept of binding vows.”
Middle English
ME
wedlocke
“the condition of being married, often associated with obligations and bonds.”
Modern English
Eng
wedlock
“the formal and legal state of marriage, emphasizing the bond between partners.”