ESPOUSAL

adoption, acceptance, acceptation, espousal

(noun) the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception; “its adoption by society”; “the proposal found wide acceptance”

betrothal, espousal

(noun) the act of becoming betrothed or engaged

bridal, espousal

(noun) archaic terms for a wedding or wedding feast

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

espousal (countable and uncountable, plural espousals)

A betrothal.

A wedding ceremony.

Adoption of a plan, cause, or idea.

Anagrams

• sepalous

Source: Wiktionary

Es*pous"al, n. Etym: [OF. espousailles, pl., F. épousailles, L. sponsalia, fr. sponsalis belonging to betrothal or espousal. See Espouse, and cf. Sponsal, Spousal.]

1. The act of espousing or betrothing; especially, in the plural, betrothal; plighting of the troths; a contract of marriage; sometimes, the marriage ceremony.

2. The uniting or allying one's self with anything; maintenance; adoption; as, the espousal of a quarrel. The open espousal of his cause. Lord Orford.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition