sponsion
(ˈspɒnʃən)
[ad. L. sponsio, noun of action f. spondēre to promise solemnly, give assurance, etc.]
1. A solemn or formal engagement, promise, or pledge, freq. one entered into or made on behalf of another person.
| 1677 Owen Justif. vii. Wks. 1850 III. 170 The apostle interposeth himself by a voluntary sponsion to undertake for Onesimus. 1692 Burnet Disc. Pastoral Care vi. 54 No Church before ours..took a formal Sponsion at the Altar from such as were ordained Deacons and Priests. 1709 Strype Ann. Ref. I. xxxiv. 345 Because in the Initiation of Baptism we stuck not to the Abrenuntiations and Sponsions made for us. 1737 Waterland Eucharist 16 A kind of Sponsion and Security for the present and future Performance of the whole Duty of Man. 1801 Napleton Advice Minister Gosp. 35 This is a great and weighty sponsion. 1850 R. D. Hampden Charge Visit. Diocese Heref. 39 Many children have not been baptized in the Church—have never had those sponsions made for them, which the instructions of the Church Catechism presuppose. |
b. spec. (See quot. 1853.)
| 1776 in Sparks Corr. Amer. Rev. (1853) I. 258 The agreement entered into by Gen. Arnold was a mere sponsion on his part, he not being invested with powers for the disposal of prisoners not in his possession. 1853 Whewell Grotius II. 130 Sponsions is the term we may use when any persons not having a commission from the Supreme Authority make any engagement which properly touches that authority. |
2. Rom. Law. An engagement to pay a certain sum to the other party in a suit, in the event of not proving one's case.
| 1632 Sanderson Serm. 207 The Defendant also making the like sponsion and entring the like bond, in case he should be cast. 1880 Muirhead Gaius iv. §13 In the same way as..the action for a definite sum of money due is perilous for a defender rashly denying his liability, on account of his sponsion. |
Hence † ˈsponsional a., entering into an engagement or pledge. Obs.
| a 1684 Leighton Serm. Wks. (1859) 526 It is evident that he is righteous, even in that representative and sponsional person he put on. |