† deˈspouse, v. Obs.
[ad. L. dēsponsāre to betroth (see desponsate), on the model of spouse:—OF. esposer:—L. sponsāre.]
trans. To promise in marriage, to betroth; to give or take in marriage, to marry; = espouse v. 1, 2. Also fig.
| 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VII. 203 Ly wiþ me, for to day þow despousedest and weddest me. c 1440 J. Capgrave Life St. Kath. iii. 1028 She desireth þat þou shalt now wyth a ryng Despouse hir to thi-self for euere-more. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 187, I haue despoused you to a noble man. 1543 Necess. Doctr. in Formul. Faith B iij, A virgin, which was despoused or ensured to a man, whose name was Joseph. 1609 Bible (Douay) 1 Macc. x. 56 Meete me at Ptolemais, that..I may despouse her to thee. |
| fig. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 3 Whan he despoused theyr soules in fayth & ledde them in hope out of Egypt. |
Hence
deˈspoused ppl. a.,
deˈspousing vbl. n.; also
deˈspouser, one who gives in marriage.
| 1609 Bible (Douay) Song. Sol. iii. 11 In the day of his despousing. 1635 Heywood Hierarch. v. 308 Chastitie the Contract, Vertue the Despouser. |