marry
/ˈmæri/
verb
Origin
Latin
maritus — married, husband
Overview
Meaning Now
- To join in wedlock; to perform the ceremony of marriage.
- To enter into a marriage state with another person.
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
marier
Earliest period
13th century
Journey
The word entered English following the Norman Conquest, gradually displacing native Old English terms like 'wibian' (to wed). Its Latin root 'maritus' is linked to 'mas' (male), reflecting historical social structures surrounding union.
Evolution
- Latin
maritare
“to provide with a husband/wife”
- Old French
marier
“to wed”
- Middle English
marien
“to marry”
Introduced after the Norman Conquest
Connections
Word parts
marry
root
wedlock
Related across languages
French
marier
to marry
Spanish
maridar
to join in marriage
Italian
maritare
to give in marriage
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.