Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Espouse \Es*pouse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Espoused}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Espousing}.] [OF. espouser, esposer, F. ['e]pouser,
   L. sponsare to betroth, espouse, fr. sponsus betrothed, p. p.
   of spondere to promise solemnly or sacredly. Cf. {Spouse}.]
   1. To betroth; to promise in marriage; to give as spouse.

            A virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph.
                                                  --Luke i. 27.

   2. To take as spouse; to take to wife; to marry.

            Lavinia will I make my empress, . . . And in the
            sacred Pantheon her espouse.          --Shak.

   3. To take to one's self with a view to maintain; to make
      one's own; to take up the cause of; to adopt; to embrace.
      ``He espoused that quarrel.'' --Bacon.

            Promised faithfully to espouse his cause as soon as
            he got out of the war.                --Bp. Burnet.