Marriage /(?)/

Mar·riage

Marriage

n.
  1. The act of marrying, or the state of being married; legal union of a man and a woman for life, as husband and wife; wedlock; matrimony.
    Marriage is honorable in all.
    — Heb. xiii. 4.
  2. The marriage vow or contract. [Obs.]
  3. A feast made on the occasion of a marriage.
    The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king which made a marriage for his son.
    — Matt. xxii. 2.
  4. Any intimate or close union.
  5. In pinochle, bézique, and similar games at cards, the combination of a king and queen of the same suit. If of the trump suit, it is called a royal marriage.

Phrases & Compounds

Marriage brokage
The business of bringing about marriages
Marriage favors
knots of white ribbons, or bunches of white flowers, worn at weddings.
Marriage settlement
a settlement of property in view, and in consideration, of marriage.