I. ə̇ˈspau̇z, eˈ- also -au̇s transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English espousen, from Middle French espouser, from Late Latin sponsare to betroth, espouse, from Latin sponsus
1.
a. : to take as spouse : wed ; usually : to take as wife
b. : to give in marriage
2. obsolete : to promise in marriage : betroth
3.
a. : to come to believe in : attach oneself to and seek to maintain, support, further, and defend
the causes we espouse elsewhere must be as true to our ideals and character as those we sponsor here — W.O.Douglas
b. : to adopt usually as a matter of policy or practicality
will have to work out some better scheme in repertory than it now espouses — Saturday Review
Hamlet, the passionate lover of sincerity, has espoused insincerity as his weapon and armor — Karl Polanyi
Synonyms: see adopt
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French espous, espos (masculine), espouse, espose (feminine) — more at spouse
obsolete : spouse