Spouse

Pronunciation

• IPA: /spaÊŠs/
• Rhymes: -aÊŠs

Origin

From Anglo-Norman espus, espuse and Old French espos, espose and by aphasis from Latin spōnsus ("bridegroom"), spōnsa ("bride"), from spondere ("to vow, to pledge"), from Proto-Indo-European *spend-.

Cognate to espouse, spondee, sponsor.

Full definition of spouse

Noun

1. A person's husband or wife.People should treat their spouses with respect.
• SpenserAt last such grace I found, and means I wrought,
  That I that lady to my spouse had won.

Derived terms

• spousal adj

Verb

1. (dated) To wed; to espouse.
• 1819, , Otho the Great, Act III, Scene II, verses 212-214Do you stand possess’dOf any proof against the honourablenessOf Lady Auranthe, our new-spoused daughter?

Anagrams

• opuses