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rriage; to affiance; -- used esp. of a woman. He, in the first flower of my freshest age, Betrothed me unto the only heir. Spenser. Ay, and we are betrothed. Shak.

The act of betrothing, or the fact of being betrothed; a mutual promise, engagement, or contract for a future marriage between the persons betrothed; betrothment; affiance. "The feast of betrothal." Longfellow.

The act of betrothing, or the state of being betrothed; betrothal.

To betroth; to pledge one's faith to for marriage, or solemnly promise (one's self or another) in marriage. To me, sad maid, he was affianced. Spenser.

To betroth or espouse; to affiance. [Obs.] Shak.

Betrothal; affiance. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.

To affiance; to betroth. [Obs.] Shak.

United; joined; betrothed. [R.]

To betroth; to affiance. The truth is, she and I, long since contracted, Are now so sure, that nothing can dissolve us. Shak.

Bargained for; betrothed; as, a contracted peace. Inquire me out contracted bachelors. Shak.

A male and female associated together; esp., a man and woman who are married or betrothed. Such were our couple, man and wife. Lloyd. Fair couple linked in happy, nuptial league. Milton.

Betrothal. [Obs.] Ethelbert . . . went peaceably to King Offa for desponsage of Athilrid, his daughter. Foxe.

To betroth. [Obs.] Johnson.

A betrothing; betrothal. [Obs.] For all this desponsation of her . . . she had not set one step toward the consummation of her marriage. Jer. Taylor.

ed; promised; especially, having the affections pledged; promised in marriage; affianced; betrothed.

To betroth. [Obs.] Sir T. More.

The act of espousing or betrothing; especially, in the plural, betrothal; plighting of the troths; a contract of marriage; sometimes, the marriage ceremony.

To betroth; to promise in marriage; to give as spouse. A virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph. Luke i. 27.

To betroth; to affiance. [Obs.] Harmar.

A betrothed woman.