释义 |
mar·riage \ˈmarij, -rēj also ˈmer-\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English mariage, from Middle French, from marier to marry + -age — more at marry 1. a. : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife b. : the mutual relation of husband and wife : wedlock c. : the institution whereby men and women are joined in a special kind of social and legal dependence for the purpose of founding and maintaining a family — see monogamy, polygamy 2. : an act of marrying or the rite by which the married status is effected : wedding; especially : the wedding ceremony and attendant festivities or formalities — compare beena marriage, coemptio, confarreation, levirate 3. : an intimate or close union 4. : maritage 5. : the combination of a king and queen of the same suit (as in pinochle) — see royal marriage |