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betrothal

betrothal

5 7.7
A formal promise to marry someone
  • noun
  • /bɪˈtroʊðəl/
  • Archaic
translation icon : promesa de matrimonio
  • Anyway, on the night of their betrothal, whom did she meet but a handsome young warrior, Diarmuid.
  • betrothal and marriage
  • betrothal or wedding
  • betrothal scene

Examples

  • Their betrothal was not met with welcoming eyes by Mama's family.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • "You must know that it is not my wish to leave you and end our betrothal."

  • And so, there is the matter of my betrothal.

  • My lord, there was no betrothal.

  • Now would be a happy moment to announce your betrothal to Prince Charles.

  • Everyone here remembers your betrothal.

  • Their agreement is both a business arrangement and a betrothal.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • "You are just in time to witness a betrothal," Duke Cador said, his good humor restored.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • A year later, my father announced my betrothal to Barel the Apostate.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The couple announced their betrothal at a family gathering to share their joy.

Synonyms

engagement
vsbetrothal
186 2.8

A formal promise by two people to marry

is the ongoing state or promise rather than the act of agreeing
troth
vsbetrothal
  • Archaic
7 9.9

A serious promise to be loyal, often made before marriage

is a formal promise to marry rather than a general loyalty pledge
espousal
vsbetrothal
  • Archaic
9.9

An engagement or a wedding ceremony

is the ongoing promise or state rather than a single ceremony
handfast
vsbetrothal
  • Archaic
9.9

An old ceremony where two people promise to marry by joining hands

is the formal promise or state rather than an informal ritual

How Formal

engagement
186 2.8
betrothal
  • Archaic
5 7.7
vow
  • Formal
279 3.4

Surface Forms

betrothal singular
betrothals plural

Morphology

betrothal = betroth (transparent) = betroth + al

Derived by the regular noun-forming suffix '-al' from the verb 'betroth', denoting the state or act of being betrothed.

Etymology

Betrothal comes from the old parts be- and troth, where troth means 'pledge' or 'faith'. A helpful way to remember it is that troth is like truth, so a betrothal is the formal promise to marry.