Definition of "betroth" in English

verb

1. (archaic) Of a man: to promise to take (a woman) as a future spouse; to plight one's troth to.

2. (archaic) Often of a parent or guardian: to promise that (two people) be married to each other; specifically and chiefly, to promise that (a woman) be given in marriage to a man; to affiance.

   • He betrothed his daughter to a distant relative.
   • The couple were betrothed not long after they met each other.

3. Of God: to enter into a relationship with (believers, or the church as a whole); also, of a priest: to pledge (himself) to the church prior to being consecrated as a bishop.

4. To pledge or promise oneself to (a cause); to espouse; also (sometimes reflexive), to pledge or promise (oneself or one's efforts) to a cause or to do something.