nuptial
4
7.2
- adjective
- /ˈnʌpʃəl/
- Formal
:
nupcial
- During mating, a Photinus male firefly (lower beetle) donates a nuptial gift to a female.
- nuptial gift
- nuptial tent
Examples
-
Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour draws on apace.
-
The Nuptial Chime, a journal of matrimony.
-
But the female benefits from the nuptial gift in several other ways.
Academic text (1991) -
To wear a ring for each nuptial would so weigh down the hand it could not be lifted.
-
The nuptial hut all bedecked with flowers.
-
"The nuptial festivities must be canceled," Magistrate Ueda said with regret, "and the guests sent home."
Fiction book (2000) -
Because Photinus fireflies do not feed as adults, male nuptial gifts may be particularly important as supplementary nourishment for the female's eggs.
Academic text (2003) -
The couple chose a beautiful venue for their nuptial ceremony.
-
She wore an elegant dress for the nuptial celebration with friends and family.
-
The nuptial vows exchanged between them were heartfelt and emotional.
Synonyms
103
3.9
Relating to marriage or the relationship between married people
29
5.6
Relates to a husband or wife
18
3.4
About a bride or a wedding
11
5.7
About marriage or being married
1
9.1
About marriage and life between a husband and wife
Compounds
A legal contract a couple makes before marriage saying who owns what if they separate
How Marital
Surface Forms
Morphology
nuptial = nupt + ial
The root 'nupt-' is a Latin combining form not a standalone English word, so learners who know 'marriage' or 'wedding' may not transparently derive the adjective 'nuptial'.
Etymology
Nuptial comes from the Latin root nubere, which meant 'to cover' or 'to veil' because brides used to cover their heads at marriage. So nuptial now means 'relating to marriage' or 'a wedding'.