v.
Pronunciation: is- ' pau ̇ z also - ' pau ̇ s
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: es · poused ; es · pous · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French espuser, from Late Latin sponsare to betroth, from Latin sponsus betrothed ― more at SPOUSE
Date: 15th century
1 : MARRY
2 : to take up and support as a cause : become attached to
synonyms see ADOPT
– es · pous · er noun