Now arch. Forms: 2 spushad, 3 -hod, 3–4 spoushod (4 -od), 5 -hode, spousehod, -hode (-ode), 5–6 -hoode, 9 spousehood. [f. SPOUSE sb. + -HOOD.] The marriage state; matrimony; wedlock.

1

  In Shoreham’s poems (I. 1609, 1623, etc.) the ending -hoþ (once -oþ) is more frequent than -hod (-od).

2

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 143. Þe sunfulle men þet spushad brekeð.

3

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 45. Ðo þre kinges bitocneð þre hodes of bilefulle men; on is meidhod, þat oðer spushod, þe þridde widewehod.

4

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 1507. He þe emperoures doȝter in spoushod nome.

5

c. 1315.  Shoreham, I. 1996. In spoushod beþ godnesse þre.

6

1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., VI. xiv. (Tollem. MS.). He likeneþ … þe synagogue to an euil wyf þat brekeþ spoushode.

7

1493.  Festivall (W. de W., 1515), 167 b. In tyme of peryll of deth fader and moder may crysten theyr owne children without harmynge of theyr spouseholde [sic].

8

1891.  J. Winsor, Columbus, viii. 166. Such an intimacy, as spousehood only can sanction.

9