es ‧ pouse /ɪˈspaʊz/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: espouser , from Latin sponsus ; ⇨ ↑ spouse ]
formal to support an idea, belief etc, especially a political one
espouse a cause/policy etc
He espoused a variety of scientific, social and political causes.
—espousal noun [singular, uncountable] :
her espousal of liberal reforms