Antonyms for marriage


Grammar : Noun
Spell : mar-ij
Phonetic Transcription : ˈmær ɪdʒ


Definition of marriage

Origin :
  • c.1300, "action of marrying, entry into wedlock;" also "state or condition of being husband and wife, matrimony, wedlock;" from Old French mariage "marriage; dowry" (12c.), from Vulgar Latin *maritaticum (11c.), from Latin maritatus, past participle of maritatre "to wed, marry, give in marriage" (see marry (v.)). The Vulgar Latin word also is the source of Italian maritaggio, Spanish maridaje.
  • Meaning "a union of a man and woman for life by marriage, a particular matrimonial union" is early 14c. Meanings "the marriage vow, formal declaration or contract by which two join in wedlock;" also "a wedding, celebration of a marriage; the marriage ceremony" are from late 14c. Figurative use (non-theological) "intimate union, a joining as if by marriage" is from early 15c.
  • [W]hen two people are under the influence of the most violent, most insane, most delusive, and most transient of passions, they are required to swear that they will remain in that excited, abnormal, and exhausting condition until death do them part. [G.B. Shaw, preface to "Getting Married," 1908]
  • Marriage counseling recorded by 1939. Marriage bed, figurative of marital intercourse generally, is attested from 1580s (bed of marriage is from early 15c.).
  • noun legal joining of two people; a union
Example sentences :
  • He has obtained from his son a solemn promise never to speak to me of marriage.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • I have sought thy daughter in marriage for Xerxes, prince of the empire.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • Yes, dearest Philothea; but not till she had first told me of her own marriage with Geta.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • He had disapproved of the marriage of his son and evinced his displeasure in his will.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • As she had two protectors against a fifth proposal of marriage, she stood her ground.
  • Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
  • I have not dared tell them of your marriage—only of your illness.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • Might not the duties of some callings be incompatible with marriage?
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • Marriage might be the absorbing duty of some women, but was it necessarily hers?
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • Not of so much as is naturally involved in marriage, I allow.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • She had seen hope of freedom in marriage, but now she wished it in independence.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald

Synonyms for marriage

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019