wed ‧ lock /ˈwedlɒk $ -lɑːk/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable] old use
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: wedlac , from wedd 'something given to show that a promise will be kept' + -lac 'actions, activity' ]
1 . born out of wedlock if a child is born out of wedlock, its parents are not married when it is born
2 . the state of being married