Marriage

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈmæɹ.ɪd͡ʒ/

Definitions

  1. A legally recognized union between two individuals forming a partnership | A social contract that establishes rights and obligations between partners | An institution that signifies commitment and often involves legal and cultural ceremonies
  2. A formal and legal bond between two people that creates shared responsibilities | A commitment between partners that involves legal, social, and emotional aspects | An established institution that signifies a long-term partnership and often includes rituals and agreements
  3. A legally sanctioned relationship between two people that entails mutual rights and responsibilities

Etymology: The concept behind this word has long been central to human societies, but its English form traces back to the Old French term "mariage," which appeared around the 12th century. This Old French word itself derived from "marier," meaning "to marry," a verb that came from the Latin "maritare," also meaning "to marry" or "to provide with a husband or wife." The root of these Latin forms is closely tied to "maritus," the Latin noun for "husband." Before this adoption, English used the Old English word "wedlock," which combined "wed" (to pledge or betroth) and the suffix "-lock," indicating a state or condition. However, after the Norman Conquest, many French terms entered English, and this particular borrowing supplanted the earlier native term over time, especially in more formal or legal contexts. The Latin root "maritus" is thought to be related to the concept of being "of marriage" or "married," possibly connected to the Indo-European root for "young man" or "male," highlighting the word’s original focus on the male partner in the union. Over centuries, the meaning expanded to encompass the legal, social, and religious institution uniting partners, rather than just the male figure. This transition reflects a broader pattern in English where many words related to law, governance, and social institutions entered the language through French after 1066. The noun form eventually stabilized in English as the term for the state or condition of being married, with its pronunciation and spelling evolving into the modern form heard today.

Synonyms: union, wedlock, matrimony

Antonyms: divorce, separation