Betroth: meaning, definitions and examples
💍
betroth
[ bɪˈtroʊθ ]
engagement ceremony
To betroth is to enter into a formal agreement to marry someone. It often involves a commitment that is made publicly and may include an engagement ring or similar token as a sign of the promise.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- They decided to betroth each other after dating for three years.
- In some cultures, families betroth their children at a young age.
- He asked her father for permission to betroth his daughter.
Translations
Translations of the word "betroth" in other languages:
🇵🇹 prometer
🇮🇳 सगाई करना
🇩🇪 verloben
🇮🇩 bertunangan
🇺🇦 обручитися
🇵🇱 zaręczyć się
🇯🇵 婚約する
🇫🇷 fiancer
🇪🇸 prometer
🇹🇷 nişanlanmak
🇰🇷 약혼하다
🇸🇦 خطبة
🇨🇿 zasnoubit se
🇸🇰 zasnúbiť sa
🇨🇳 订婚
🇸🇮 zaročiti se
🇮🇸 sætta sig í hjónaband
🇰🇿 некенің серігі болу
🇬🇪 მოსანიშნე
🇦🇿 nişanlanmaq
🇲🇽 comprometerse
Etymology
The word 'betroth' originates from Middle English 'betrothen', which is derived from Old English 'betroian', meaning 'to make a promise'. The prefix 'be-' indicates a change or transformation, while the root 'troth' comes from 'troth', an Old English word meaning 'truth' or 'faith'. Historically, betrothal has been an important social contract in many cultures, symbolizing a commitment between families as much as between individuals. In medieval and early modern times, marriages were often arranged, with the betrothal serving as a binding contract. The ceremony was accompanied by various traditions and rituals that signified the seriousness of the commitment. Over time, the meaning of betrothal evolved, placing more emphasis on the romantic rather than purely contractual nature of engagement, though its usage has become less common in contemporary language.