Betrotheds

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The individuals engaged to be married, promising fidelity and union in the future
2. People who have formally pledged to marry each other, often marked by a proposal or engagement
3. Those who are committed to a future marriage, usually following an agreement or ritual signifying their bond

Etymology: "Betrotheds" is the plural of "betrothed," which is used as a noun for a person who is engaged to be married. The plural form is rare in practice, since people usually say "the couple" or "the engaged pair," but it is grammatically valid. The base word "betrothed" is the past participle of "betroth," a verb meaning to promise someone in marriage. "Betroth" was formed in Middle English by combining the prefix "be-," meaning "thoroughly" or "about," with "troth," an older word for truth, faithfulness, or a solemn pledge. So a betrothal was originally a formal vow of faithfulness. The word "troth" survives mainly in the phrase "plight one's troth," meaning to make a solemn promise.