Betrothing

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Betroth \Be*troth"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Betrothed}; p. pr. &
     vb. n. {Betrothing}.] [Pref. be- + troth, i. e., truth. See
     {Truth}.]
     1. To contract to any one for a marriage; to engage or
        promise in order to marriage; to affiance; -- used esp. of
        a woman.


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              He, in the first flower of my freshest age,
              Betrothed me unto the only heir.      --Spenser.
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              Ay, and we are betrothed.             --Shak.
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     2. To promise to take (as a future spouse); to plight one's
        troth to.
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              What man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and
              hath not taken her?                   --Deut. xx. 7.
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     3. To nominate to a bishopric, in order to consecration.
        --Ayliffe.
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