Where does “espouse” come from?

Espouse comes from Middle English espousen, from Old French espouser, from Latin sponsare, derived from the Proto-Indo-European root spend- meaning to make a solemn promise or pledge.

espouse (English): To become/get married to; To accept, support, or...

Definitions

  1. To become/get married to; To accept, support, or...

Ancestry of “espouse”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishespousen—
2Old Frenchespouserto marry
3Latinspōnsōto betroth
4Latinspōnsusa groom
5Latinspondeōto promise, bind or pledge oneself, contract, vow
6Proto-Italicspondeōto promise, to pledge
7Proto-Indo-Europeanspondéyeti—
8Proto-Indo-Europeanspend-to libate

Words derived from “espouse”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European spend- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European spondéyeti →Every word from Proto-Italic spondeō →