betrothals
Formal engagement agreements
Betrothals are formal agreements to marry—engagements, especially in contexts where such agreements carry legal or social weight.
The word sounds ceremonial and old-fashioned: Royal betrothals were political arrangements.
In historical or religious contexts, a betrothal was a binding commitment, more serious than modern engagement.
Commitment to wed or attend
- ringsCircular bands worn
- announcementPublic declaration of information
- familiesRelated people living together
- dowryMarital property transfer
bride-price · matchmaker · feast · celebration · vows · contract · witnesses · blessing
Commitment to act
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- loveIntense fond attachment
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
sweetheart · suitor · proposal · affection · intention · declaration · faithfulness · anticipation
Arranging romantic connections
- parentsMother and father
- allianceFormal union of parties
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- familiesRelated people living together
astrology · horoscope · caste · intermediary · suitability · elders · compatibility · dynasty
Of the Middle Ages
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- kingdomsMonarch-ruled territories
- allianceFormal union of parties
- treatyBinding pact between nations
dynasty · heir · throne · political · royal · feudal · arranged · childhood
Enforceable written agreement
- bindingLegally or morally required
- witnessOne who attests
- consentVoluntary agreement given
- annulmentDeclared void from start
breach · property · settlement · obligation · documentation · guardian · age · validity
engagement
Commitment to wed or attend
- ringsCircular bands worn
- announcementPublic declaration of information
- familiesRelated people living together
dowry · bride-price · matchmaker · feast · celebration · vows · contract · witnesses · blessing · gifts
promise
Commitment to act
commitment · sweetheart · suitor · proposal · affection · intention · declaration · faithfulness · anticipation · longing
matchmaking
Arranging romantic connections
- parentsMother and father
- allianceFormal union of parties
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
families · astrology · horoscope · caste · intermediary · suitability · elders · compatibility · dynasty · lineage
medieval
Of the Middle Ages
treaty · dynasty · heir · throne · political · royal · feudal · arranged · childhood · strategic
contract
Enforceable written agreement
annulment · breach · property · settlement · obligation · documentation · guardian · age · validity · dissolution
- ceremonieswedding ceremony, wedding, weddings, graduation, graduations
- courtshipcourting, courtship, suitor, wooing, courtship rituals
betrothalsbreakups
Endings of romantic relationships
separations · divorces · annulments · dissolutions · split-ups
betrothalsdivorces
Legal ends to marriages
flings · one-night stands · casual dating · hookups · dalliances
- betrothal giftsItems exchanged upon engagement