marriage

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmarɪdʒ/

noun

  • 1the formal union of a man and a woman, typically as recognized by law, by which they become husband and wife: she has three children from a previous marriage
  • [mass noun] the state of being married: women want equality in marriage
  • (in some jurisdictions) a union between partners of the same sex.
  • 2a combination or mixture of elements: her music is a marriage of funk, jazz, and hip hop

Phrases

by marriage

as a result of a marriage: the estate passed by marriage to the Burlingtons

in marriage

as husband or wife: he asked my father for my hand in marriage

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French mariage, from marier 'marry'

Spelling rule

If a word ends in a consonant plus -y (in this case, marry), change the -y to an -i before adding any ending (unless the ending already begins with an -i): marriage.