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Where does the word "marriage" come from? It comes from Latin maritare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "marriage" come from? It comes from Latin maritare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Marriage’s story begins in Latin: maritare meant “to wed.” From 'maritus', husband, possibly related to 'mas', male. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as mariage. Under feudal law a lord could control his wards' marriages. It reached English by 1200s as marriage. Gradually displaced Old English 'wedlock'. Today, marriage means the legally recognized union of two people as partners.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient maritare "to wed", from 'maritus', husband, possibly related to 'mas', male.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval mariage "wedding, union", under feudal law a lord could control his wards' marriages.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s marriage "legal union of spouses", gradually displaced Old English 'wedlock'.