Espousal
Pronunciation : Es*pous"al
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OF. espousailles, pl., F. ?pousailles, L. sponsalia, fr. sponsalis belonging to betrothal or espousal. See Espouse, and cf. Sponsal, Spousal.]
Definition : 1. The act of espousing or betrothing; especially, in the plural, betrothal; plighting of the troths; a contract of marriage; sometimes, the marriage ceremony.
2. The uniting or allying one's self with anything; maintenance; adoption; as, the espousal of a quarrel. The open espousal of his cause. Lord Orford.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913