I. ˈspau̇s also -au̇z noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English spuse, spouse, from Old French spus, spous, espus (masculine), spuse, espouse (feminine), from Latin sponsus (masculine) betrothed man, groom, sponsa (feminine) betrothed woman, bride, from sponsus, past participle of spondēre to promise solemnly, betroth; akin to Greek spendein to make a libation, promise, spendesthai to make a treaty, spondē libation, plural treaty, Sanskrit spanti he makes a libation
1. : a man or woman joined in wedlock : married person : husband , wife
I that lady to my spouse had won — Edmund Spenser
the accompanying spouse and children … travel at greatly reduced rates — P.J.C.Friedlander
a responsible relative such as spouse , father, mother, or child — U.S.Code
free and full consent of the intending spouses — U.N.Declaration of Human Rights
2. obsolete
a. : bride , bridegroom
b. : either one of a betrothed couple : fiancé , fiancée
3.
a. : the church united in sacred bonds to God or to Christ
b. : a woman who by vow becomes an affianced of Christ
c. : God or Christ united in sacred bonds to the church
II. ˈspau̇z, ˈspau̇s transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English spousen, from spouse (I)
1. obsolete : to unite in marriage : give in marriage
2. archaic : espouse , wed
3. obsolete : affiance , betroth