I. ˈspau̇s also ˈspau̇z noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French espus (masculine) & espuse (feminine), from Latin sponsus betrothed man, groom & sponsa betrothed woman, bride, both from sponsus, past participle of spondēre to promise, betroth; akin to Greek spendein to pour a libation, Hittite šipant-
Date: 13th century
: married person : husband , wife
• spou·sal ˈspau̇-zəl, -səl adjective
II. ˈspau̇z, ˈspau̇s transitive verb
( spoused ; spous·ing )
Date: 13th century
archaic : wed