1. † a. One who brings about a betrothal or marriage. Obs. b. One who makes a contract of marriage with (a woman). rare.
1653. Gauden, Hierasp., 156. As Woers and Espousers … to make up … Espousals, between Christ and the Church.
1828. in Webster.
1884. C. Reade, Picture, I. ii. in Harper’s Mag., March, 634/2. ‘You have accepted me publicly as your betrothed.’ ‘Say my espouser,’ said she, calmly.
2. One who takes up the cause of (a person, party, etc.); one who adopts (an opinion, system, etc.); a partisan, supporter, upholder.
1654. Hammond, Answ. Animadv. Ignat., iii. § 4. 79. They shew themselves far from passionate espousers of Episcopacy.
a. 1687. H. More, Answ. Psychop., 109. He seems to be an Espouser of this Opinion.
1738. Warburton, Div. Legat., I. 33. Mr. Bayle, the last Espouser of this Paradox.
1742. C. Middleton, Cicero, II. VI. 134. The most factious espouser of a Dictator.
1761. Allen, Serm. Univ. Oxf., 11 (T.). The espousers of that unauthorised and detestable scheme.
1828. in Webster; and in mod. Dicts.
