spouse
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- a person's partner in marriageSynonyms: partnermarried personmatebetter half
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
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]
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]