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wedlock
[wed-lok]
noun
the state of marriage; matrimony.
wedlock
/ ˈɛɒ /
noun
the state of being married
born when one's parents are not legally married
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of wedlock1
Idioms and Phrases
Example Sentences
Both paint wedlock as a fortunate state, when it works.
Women brought the victims to her, babies born out of wedlock, perhaps one too many for a household or the mother too young.
A small-town kid born out of wedlock, he moved from the rustic countryside of Vinci, 30 miles west of Florence, to the sophisticated city to make his way.
But he was instead mired in scandal, including mounting debts and lawsuits and backlash from two children born out of wedlock.
He faced mounting costs for legal fees, spousal support and payments for children he fathered out of wedlock.
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When To Use
Wedlock is the state of being married.The term is rarely used by itself simply to refer to the state of marriage other than in very formal religious contexts.Instead, wedlock is most commonly used in criticism of the actions of couples who are not married, most especially in the phrase born out of wedlock—meaning born when one's parents are not legally married.This phrase and the beliefs and criticisms that go with it are often themselves criticized for stigmatizing children and their parents when those parents are not married or were not married at the time of the birth.Other instances of the use of the word wedlock also involve criticism of actions taken by partners who are not married, such as living together or engaging in sexual activity out of wedlock.
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