betroth
verb
Simple meaning
Give to in marriage.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
bihtrawthIPA pronunciation (US)
bɪtɹɔθ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
verb
Give to in marriage
archaic
Of a man: to promise to take (a woman) as a future spouse; to plight one's troth to.
archaic
Often of a parent or guardian: to promise that (two people) be married to each other; specifically and chiefly, to promise that (a woman) be given in marriage to a man; to affiance.
figurativeChristianityarchaic
Of God: to enter into a relationship with (believers, or the church as a whole); also, of a priest: to pledge (himself) to the church prior to being consecrated as a bishop.
figurativeobsolete
To pledge or promise oneself to (a cause); to espouse; also (sometimes reflexive), to pledge or promise (oneself or one's efforts) to a cause or to do something.
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