matrimony

From Old French matremoine, from Latin mātrimōnium (“marriage, wedlock”), from māter (“mother”) + -mōnium (“obligation”). Also matri- +‎ -mony. Compare patrimony.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈmat.ɹɪ.mə.ni/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈmæt.ɹɪˌmoʊ.ni/

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• Hyphenation: mat‧ri‧mo‧ny

matrimony (countable and uncountable, plural matrimonies)

1. (uncountable) Marriage; the state of being married.
   • 1549 March 7​, Thomas Cranmer [et al.], compilers, The Booke of the Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacramentes, […], London: […] Edowardi Whitchurche […], →OCLC:

     If either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it.

2. (countable) The ceremony of marriage.
3. (uncountable) A particular solitaire card game using two decks of cards.

• (state of being married): marriage, wedlock
• (ceremony of marriage): wedding, nuptials

• matrimony vine

• See Related terms of mother

• wedding

• Douglas Harper (2001–2023), “matrimony”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.