Main Entry:

¹spouse

Pronunciation:

\ˈspau̇s also ˈspau̇z\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French espus (masculine) & espuse (feminine), from Latin sponsus betrothed man, groom & sponsa betrothed woman, bride, both from sponsus, past participle of spondēre to promise, betroth; akin to Greek spendein to pour a libation, Hittite šipant-

Date:

13th century

: married person : husband, wife

— spou·sal \ˈspau̇-zəl, -səl\ adjective