espouse ment (espouzment)

[ As wooers and espousers , having commi ion or letters of credence to treat of a marriage. Bp . Gauden , Hi eras pistes (1653), p. 156. 2. One who defends or maintains something, as a cause. esplees (es-plēz'), n. pl. [OF. esples , espleits (pl. of espleit , pp.), expleta , the products of land, pl. of expletum , rent, service, etc.: see exploit .] In law , the products of land, as the hay of meadows, herbage of pastures, corn of arable lands, rents, services, etc. espleitt, espleytt, v. esponton (es-pon'ton), n. Same as spontoon . espousaget (es-pou'zāj), n. [ espouse + -age . Hence, by apheresis, spousage .] Espousal; wedsage to be rendered with ardent expre ion. IMG:content-0729.png:[blocks in formation] This was the burnt offering which Shalum offered in the day of his espousals . Add is on , Hilpah and Shalum. 2. A umption of the protection or defense of anything; advocacy; a taking upon one's self; adoption as by wedding. If political reasons forbid the open espousal of his cause, pity commands the a istance which private fortunes can lend him. Walpole . Espousals of the Ble ed Virgin, in the Rom , Cath . Ch., a festival celebrated on January 23d. II. a. Relating to the act of espousing or betrothing; marriage (used adjectively). The amba ador put his leg. pousal sheets. between the es Bacon, Henry VII., p. 80. espouset (es-pouz'), n. [ The Erle the espouse courtoisly forth lad. Rom, of Partenay (E. E. T. S.), 1. 954. espouse (es-pouz'), v . t .; pret. and pp. espoused , ppr. espousing . [ espousen , espou ser , F. épouser = Pr. espozar = It. sposare , sponsare , betroth, espouse, spondere , pp. sponsus , promise, promise in marriage, betroth: see espouse, n. Hence, by apheresis (though actually older in E.), spouse , v., q. v.] 1. To promise, engage, or bestow in marriage; betroth. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph. Mat. i. 18. I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2 Cor. xi. 2. If her sire approves, Let him espouse her to the peer she loves. Pope. 2. To take in marriage; marry; wed. He which shall espouse a woman bringeth witne es, and before them doth betroth her with money, or somewhat money-worth, which he giueth her, saying, Be thou es poused to me according to the Law of Moses and Israel. Purchas , Pilgrimage, p. 213. The rest [of the Bucentaur is] accommodated with seats; where he [the Doge] solemnly espouseth the Sea; confirmed by a ring thrown therein. Sandys , Travailes, p. 2. 3. To take to one's self, or make one's own; espirituelt, a . [OF. espirituel , spiritual is , embrace; adopt; become a participator or par- spiritual: see spiritual .] A Middle English form of spiritual .