Spoused

Part of speech: verb, adjective

Definitions

1. Having entered into a legally recognized marriage or civil partnership with another person ; assuming the role of a husband or wife in a partnered relationship ; united in matrimony or domestic partnership with someone
2. Being joined in lawful wedlock or a formal commitment to a partner ; acting as a partner through marriage or civil union ; sharing a conjugal bond with another individual
3. Living as a married or formally paired individual ; having legally acknowledged a spouse ; participating in a marital or equivalent partnership arrangement

Etymology: "Spoused" is simply the past tense and past participle of "spouse," so its history is that of the verb it comes from. Spouse reached English from Anglo-Norman "espus" and "espuse," which descended from Old French "espos" and "espose" and were shortened from Latin "sponsus" (bridegroom) and "sponsa" (bride). Those Latin words came from "spondeo," meaning "to vow" or "pledge," so at its root a spouse is someone bound by a solemn promise. That promise is also what ties the word to its relatives. "Espouse" and "sponsor" come from the same Latin source, and a sponsor is, at heart, someone who pledges their support for another. Middle English adopted "spous" and "spouse" and they gradually replaced the native Old English word "gemaca," which had meant a mate or companion.

Synonyms: married, wed, joined

Antonyms: divorced, single, separated