Middle English Dictionary Entry

mariāǧe n.
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Entry Info

Forms mariāǧe n. Also mariag, mareig, marage, mariache, mariaige.
Etymology OF marïage, marïaige.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) The action of marrying; marriage; maken ~, to enter into marriage, be married; prepare or arrange for marriage; (b) the state or condition of being married; matrimony; wedlock; (c) alliaunce (bond, yoke) of ~, marriage bond, conjugal tie; bed of ~, a bridal bed, nuptial bed; ben in ~, to be married; bringen to ~, marry (sb.) off; hauen to (in) ~, taken in ~, marry (sb.); putten to ~, make (sb.) marry; yeven in ~, give (sb.) in marriage (to a man); conjoined bi ~, conjunct (coupled, imixed, knit, etc.) in ~; felaushiped thurgh ~, joined or united in marriage, married; (d) a union by marriage, a marriage; felaushipen (maken) ~, to enter into a marriage (with sb.); maken ~, arrange or contract a union (between two persons); (e) the marriage vow; breken ~, to violate (one's) marriage vow, commit adultery; kepen ~, adhere to (one's) marriage vow, be faithful in marriage.
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2.
A wedding; the marriage ceremony; ~ dai, dai of ~, the wedding day; ~ making, celebration or solemnization of a wedding; ful-fillen ~, to perform the wedding ceremony; marry formally; maken ~, celebrate the wedding.
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3.
?A spouse; ?a match; to his ~, as His (i.e. Christ's) spouse.
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4.
(a) A woman's marriage portion in money or property given by her father; ~ monei (silver); in (to) ~, as dowry; to the ~ ward, ?toward the dowry (of sb.); (b) the marriage settlement in land and property that a father makes for the son; (c) the right of a feudal lord to exact a levy for the marriage of a vassal's daughter, sister, or near female relation; also, the revenue derived from this right; (d) fre ~ [see fre 4b. (d)].
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5.
(a) The condition of being conjoined; binden in ~, to tie (sth. to sth. else); stake (vines); (b) theol. union between God and the soul; union with Christ; (c) alch. the union of the materials of the stone into one single substance; also, the union between matter and spirit.
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Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • c1330 *St.Marg.(2) (Auch)54 : For hir michel feir hed, ȝif she be born of þral, hir mariage no tineþ sche nouȝt al. wele y schal hir cloþe In sike latoun & pal; sche schal be mi leman & haue gold to wal.
    • Note: This sense isn't covered by present entry. Gl. 'betrothal, matrimonial pledge' - but this really isn't a pledge of marriage; it means an entering into or agreement or acquiescence in an arrangement of concubinage - so 'marriage offering of virginity.'

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • c1450(1438) GLeg.Apost.Thomas (GiL4) (Eg 876) 26/40 : Þe apostul at þe requeste of þe kyng blessid þe ȝong mariage [F lespoux et lespouse] and seide: 'Lord, ȝeue to þese children the blessyng of riȝt side, and putte in her þouȝt sede of lif.'
    • Note: Editor: "ȝong mariage:..the apparent sense here, 'married couple' for mariage, is not recorded by MED."
    Note: New sense.

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