Espous

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To adopt or support a cause, belief, or way of life; to take as a spouse in marriage; to embrace or advocate an idea or philosophy
2. To formally accept or stand behind an ideology or movement; to marry or be betrothed to someone; to align oneself closely with a particular viewpoint or cause
3. To pledge support to a principle or campaign; to enter into wedlock with a partner; to commit oneself to a doctrine or set of values

Etymology: "Espouse" comes from Old French "espouser," meaning to marry or betroth, which in turn descends from Latin "sponsare," to promise solemnly, from "sponsus," the past participle of "spondere," to pledge or vow. The same Latin root gave English "spouse," "sponsor," and "respond," all tied to the idea of making a binding promise. The word's marital sense is therefore its original one, and it is the older of the two meanings in English. The figurative sense, to adopt a cause or doctrine, developed later as the word was extended beyond marriage. Its root meaning of solemn commitment explains why the verb now fits so naturally with principles, causes, and beliefs: to espouse a cause is to bind oneself to it as one would to a spouse.