sponsionn.
/ˈspɒnʃən/ 1.
a. A solemn or formal engagement, promise, or pledge, frequently one entered into or made on behalf of another person.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > [noun] > engagement
tailyec1425
trystc1480
appointment1533
restipulation1595
pre-engagement1647
ingudgment1650
sponsion1677
engagement1806
commitment1837
date1885
booking1975
1677 J. Owen Doctr. Justif. by Faith vii, in Wks. (1850) III. 170 The apostle interposeth himself by a voluntary sponsion to undertake for Onesimus.
1692 Bp. G. Burnet Disc. Pastoral Care vi. 54 No Church before ours..took a formal Sponsion at the Altar from such as were ordained Deacons and Priests.
1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation xxxiv. 345 Because in the Initiation of Baptism we stuck not to the Abrenuntiations and Sponsions made for us.
1737 D. Waterland Rev. Doctr. Eucharist 16 A kind of Sponsion and Security for the present and future Performance of the whole Duty of Man.
1801 Napleton Advice Minister Gosp. 35 This is a great and weighty sponsion.
1850 R. D. Hampden Charge Visit. Diocese Heref. 39 Many children have not been baptized in the Church—have never had those sponsions made for them, which the instructions of the Church Catechism presuppose.
b. spec. (See quot. 1853.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > [noun] > lightly broken > improperly made
sponsion1776
1776 in J. Sparks Corr. Amer. Revol. (1853) I. 258 The agreement entered into by Gen. Arnold was a mere sponsion on his part, he not being invested with powers for the disposal of prisoners not in his possession.
1853 W. Whewell tr. H. Grotius De Jure Belli II. 130 Sponsions is the term we may use when any persons not having a commission from the Supreme Authority make any engagement which properly touches that authority.
2. Roman Law. An engagement to pay a certain sum to the other party in a suit, in the event of not proving one's case.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > claim at law > [noun] > engagement by loser to pay
sponsion1632
1632 R. Sanderson 12 Serm. 207 The Defendant also making the like sponsion and entring the like bond, in case he should be cast.
1880 J. Muirhead tr. Gaius Institutes iv. 270 In the same way as..the action for a definite sum of money due is perilous for a defender rashly denying his liability, on account of his sponsion.
Derivatives
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > [adjective] > promising
committing1682
sponsionala1684
swearing1727
engaging1883
a1684 R. Leighton Serm. in Wks. (1859) 526 It is evident that he is righteous, even in that representative and sponsional person he put on.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
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