Espousen

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To adopt, embrace, or actively champion a cause, belief, or ideology ; an old-fashioned way of saying to wed or take someone as a spouse
2. To take up and openly support a particular cause or set of beliefs ; an archaic term meaning to join someone in marriage or become their husband or wife
3. Adopting and publicly backing a cause or doctrine ; a dated expression for entering into wedlock with a partner

Etymology: "Espousen" is an older form of "espouse," the infinitive "to marry" with the Middle English "-en" ending that Modern English later dropped. It came into English from Old French "espouser," which goes back to Latin "sponsare," meaning to pledge or betroth, from "spondere," "to promise solemnly." That same Latin root gave English "sponsor" and "spouse," so the marriage sense of "espouse" is close kin to the sense of making a formal promise.