Rom. Antiq. Also 7 confarration, 7–8 -ferreation, 8 -farriation. [ad. L. confarreātiōn-em, n. of action from confarreā-re to unite in marriage by the offering of bread, f. con- + farre-us of spelt, corn, or grain, farreum a spelt-cake, f. far, farr-is grain, spelt, whence farreātus, farreātio.]
1. The highest and most solemn form of marriage among the ancient Romans, made in the presence of the Pontifex Maximus or the Flamen Dialis and ten witnesses, and marked by the offering of a cake made of spelt.
1598. Grenewey, Tacitus’ Ann., IV. v. (1622), 94. The vse of confarreation, or marriage with a cake of Wheate, either not vsed, or only of a few.
1601. Holland, Pliny (1634), I. 550. There was nothing reputed more religious than the bond of Confarration, in knitting vp of mariages.
1658. J. Robinson, Eudoxa, v. 35. The confarreation … was, because of its incongruity, but short-lived.
1862. Merivale, Rom. Emp. (1865), VII. lxii. 362. Vulcan had not taken his celestial spouse with the holy rites of confarreation.
† b. A wedding, marriage. Obs.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett., IV. (1650), 110. Wishing you all conjugall joy and a happy confarreation, I rest your affectionat Cousin, J. H. Ibid., V. 161. Wishing you … if you have her, a happy conferreation.
2. ? Alliance, affinity. [? for CONFARIATION.]
1625. Bp. Mountagu, App. Cæsar, I. 12. I embrace his opinions; let his person or private ends, if hee had any, alone: I nor have, nor will have confarreation therewith. Ibid., IV. 134. With whom if you have any commerce, intercourse, or confarreation [printed confarveation], look unto it.
