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Phrases
out of wedlock
: with the natural parents not legally married to each other
Examples of wedlock in a Sentence
joined the happy couple in holy wedlock
Recent Examples on the Web
In episode four, the Sea Snake refuses to show him any affection, and blocks his rise up the ranks, simply because he was born out of wedlock.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Alfonsina, who fell pregnant by a colleague and had the child outside of wedlock.
—Teresa Grøtan (tr. Caroline Waight), The Dial, 12 Nov. 2024
Women brought the victims to her, babies born out of wedlock, perhaps one too many for a household or the mother too young.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
But he was instead mired in scandal, including mounting debts and lawsuits and backlash from two children born out of wedlock.
—Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
Middle English wedlok, from Old English wedlāc marriage bond, from wedd pledge + -lāc, suffix denoting activity
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of wedlock was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing wedlock
Articles Related to wedlock
Dictionary Entries Near wedlock
Cite this Entry
“Wedlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wedlock. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
Kids Definition
wedlock
noun
wed·lock
ˈwed-ˌläk
: the state of being married
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