1
Stage 1 of 4
spondere
Latin · ancient
"to promise, to pledge"
to promise, to pledge, with irregular past participle sponsus
2
Stage 2 of 4
sponsus
Latin · ancient
"betrothed, promised in marriage"
betrothed, promised in marriage, from spondere
3
Stage 3 of 4
espous
Old French · medieval
"a married partner"
carried into French for a married partner
4
Stage 4 of 4
spouse
English · 1200s
"a married partner, either husband or wife"
settled as the English word for a married partner
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