Es‐pouse″ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Espoused (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Espousing.] [OF. espouser, esposer, F. épouser, L. sponsare to betroth, espouse, fr. sponsus betrothed, p. p. of spondere to promise solemnly or sacredly. Cf. Spouse.] 1. To betroth; to promise in marriage; to give as spouse.
A virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph. Luke i. 27.
2. To take as spouse; to take to wife; to marry.
Lavinia will I make my empress,...
And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse. Shak.
3. To take to one's self with a view to maintain; to make one's own; to take up the cause of; to adopt; to embrace. “He espoused that quarrel.” Bacon.
Promised faithfully to espouse his cause as soon as he got out of the war. Bp. Burnet.