Obs. [f. SPOUSE sb. + BREAKER: cf. prec.] An adulterer.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 25778. Spous-breker be þat womman þat juus dempt for to stan.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), III. 157. He made his felawe a spouse brekere.
c. 1400. Apol. Loll., 54. Fraudars, misdoars, sortylogers, spousbrekars.
c. 1425. Audelay, XI Pains of Hell, 62, in O. E. Misc. Bynd spouse-brekers with awouters, And ranegates with raueners.
1548–77. Vicary, Anat., i. (1888), 15. That he be no spous-breaker, nor no drunkarde.
1562. Legh, Armory, 105. The Swanne pursueth the cockolde-maker…, & will not leaue the spouse breaker, tyll he kyll or bee killed.
