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Engagement
An engagement, betrothal, or fiancer is the relationship between two people who want to get married, and also the period of time between a marriage proposal and a marriage. During this period, a couple is said to be betrothed, intended, affianced, engaged to be married, or simply engaged. Future brides and grooms may be called the betrothed, a wife-to-be or husband-to-be, fiancée or fiancé (from the French word of the same form), respectively. The duration of the courtship varies vastly, and is largely dependent on cultural norms or upon the agreement of the parties involved.
Long engagements were once common in formal arranged marriages, and it was not uncommon for parents betrothing children to arrange marriages many years before the engaged couple were old enough. This is still common in some countries.
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Betrothal (noun)
The act of betrothing.
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Betrothal (noun)
The fact of being betrothed; a mutual promise, engagement, or contract for a future marriage between two people.
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Engagement (noun)
An appointment, especially to speak or perform.
“The lecturer has three speaking engagements this week.”
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Engagement (noun)
Connection or attachment.
“Check the gears for full engagement before turning the handle.”
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Engagement (noun)
The feeling of being compelled, drawn in, connected to what is happening, interested in what will happen next.
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Engagement (noun)
The period of time when marriage is planned or promised.
“We are enjoying a long engagement, but haven’t yet set a date.”
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Engagement (noun)
In any situation of conflict, an actual instance of active hostilities.
“The engagement resulted in many casualties.”
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Engagement (noun)
The point at which the fencers are close enough to join blades, or to make an effective attack during an encounter.
“After engagement it quickly became clear which of the fencers was going to prevail.”