Espousal | n. [ OF. espousailles, pl., F. épousailles, L. sponsalia, fr. sponsalis belonging to betrothal or espousal. See Espouse, and cf. Sponsal, Spousal. ] 1. The act of espousing or betrothing; especially, in the plural, betrothal; plighting of the troths; a contract of marriage; sometimes, the marriage ceremony. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. The uniting or allying one's self with anything; maintenance; adoption; as, the espousal of a quarrel. [ 1913 Webster ] The open espousal of his cause. Lord Orford. [ 1913 Webster ] |