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te, of marriage; matrimony. "That blissful yoke . . . that men clepeth [call] spousal, or wedlock." Chaucer. For what is wedlock forced but a hell, An age of discord or continual strife Shak.

Born out of wedlock. Gay.

A "natural" child; a child begotten and born out of wedlock; an illegitimate child; one born of an illicit union.

w is so indulgent as not to bastardize the child, if born, though not begotten, in lawful wedlock. Blackstone.

tract. The law of nations depends on mutual compacts, treaties, leagues, etc. Blackstone. Wedlock is described as the indissoluble compact. Macaulay. The federal constitution has been styled a compact between the States by which it was ratified. Wharton.

To join in wedlock; to marry. [Colloq.] A parson who couples all our beggars. Swift.

Unlawfully begotten; born out of wedlock; bastard; as, an illegitimate child.

in conformity with law; hence, the condition of having been lawfully begotten, or born in wedlock. The doctrine of Divine Right, which has now come back to us, like a thief from transportation, under the alias of Legitimacy. Macaulay.

Lawfully begotten; born in wedlock.

e state of being married; legal union of a man and a woman for life, as husband and wife; wedlock; matrimony. Marriage is honorable in all. Heb. xiii. 4.

To unite in wedlock or matrimony; to perform the ceremony of joining, as a man and a woman, for life; to constitute (a man and a woman) husband and wife according to the laws or customs of the place. Tell him that he shall marry the couple himself. Gay.

The union of man and woman as husband and wife; the nuptial state; marriage; wedlock. If either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confessit. Book of Com. Prayer (Eng. Ed. )

Lawful issue born in wedlock, in distinction from an elder brother born of the same parents before their marriage; a lawful son.

In the manner or condition of a mulier; in wedlock; legitimately. [Obs.]

Condition of being a mulier; position of one born in lawful wedlock.

Begotten without the sanction of law; born out of wedlock; illegitimate; bastard; as, a natural child.

Solemnization. [R.] Though spoused, yet wanting wedlock's solemnize. Spenser.

Dryden. Boweth your head under that blissful yoke . . . Which that men clepeth spousal or wedlock. Chaucer. the spousals of the newborn year. Emerson.

A man or woman engaged or joined in wedlock; a married person, husband or wife. At last such grace I found, and means I wrought, That that lady to my spouse had won. Spenser.

To join in marriage; to give in wedlock. And Adam, wedded to another Eve, Shall live with her. Milton.