Meaning of espouse in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ɪˈspaʊz/

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  1. Verb

    espouse

    Etymology

    late Middle English (in the sense ‘take as a spouse’): from Old French espouser, from Latin sponsare, from sponsus‘betrothed’, past participle of spondere

    Definitions

    1. choose and follow

    Examples

    • « as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans »
    • « She followed the feminist movement »
    • « The candidate espouses Republican ideals »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. take in marriage

    Derived terms

  3. 3. take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own

    Examples

    • « She embraced Catholocism »
    • « They adopted the Jewish faith »

    Derived terms

Famous quotes

  • « The history of progress is written in the blood of men and women who have dared to espouse an unpopular cause, as, for instance, the black man's right to his body, or woman's right to her soul. »
    Emma Goldman

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