1.
[syn: spouse, partner, married person, mate, better half]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Spouse \Spouse\ (spouz), v. t. [See Espouse, and Spouse, n.]
To wed; to espouse. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
This markis hath her spoused with a ring. --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
Though spoused, yet wanting wedlock's solemnize.
--Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
She was found again, and spoused to Marinell.
--Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Spouse \Spouse\ (spouz), n. [OF. espous, espos, fem. espouse, F.
['e]poux, ['e]pouse, fr. L. sponsus, sponsa, prop. p. p. of
spondere, sponsum, to promise solemnly, to engage one's self.
Cf. Despond, Espouse, Respond, Sponsor.]
1. A man or woman engaged or joined in wedlock; a married
person, husband or wife.
[1913 Webster]
At last such grace I found, and means I wrought,
That I that lady to my spouse had won. --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
2. A married man, in distinction from a spousess or
married woman; a bridegroom or husband. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
At which marriage was [were] no persons present but
the spouse, the spousess, the Duchess of Bedford her
mother, the priest, two gentlewomen, and a young
man. --Fabyan.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
spouse
n 1: a person's partner in marriage [syn: spouse, partner,
married person, mate, better half]
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary:
Spouse
(Cant. 4:8-12; Hos. 4:13, 14) may denote either husband or wife,
but in the Scriptures it denotes only the latter.