a. [ad. L. sponsāl-is, f. sponsus, -a, spouse.] Of or pertaining to marriage; spousal; wedded, wedding.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Sponsal, belonging to betrothing or mariage. [Hence in Bailey, etc.]
1840. Penny Cycl., XVIII. 197/1. A vase, executed for her majesty, as a sponsal present by her.
1866. J. B. Rose, trans. Ovid’s Fasti, II. 595. O maidens fair, Choose not a sponsal day. Ibid., IV. 1097. Tithonia thrice must leave the sponsal bed.
