bridal

From Middle English bridale, from Old English brȳdealo (“wedding ale; wedding feast”); synchronically analyzable as bride +‎ ale. The attributive usage was strengthened by association with bride +‎ -al.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈbraɪ.dl̩/

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

• (US) enPR: brīd-(ə)l, IPA^(key): /ˈbɹaɪd(ə)l/
• Homophone: bridle
• Rhymes: -aɪd(ə)l

bridal (plural bridals)

1. (archaic) A wedding feast or festival; a wedding.
   • 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book VI, Canto X”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:

     […] the crowne, which Ariadne wore / Upon her yvory forehead, that same day / That Theseus her unto his bridal bore […]

   • 1846 October 1 – 1848 April 1, Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1848, →OCLC:

     Thus, in the dead time of the night before her bridal, Edith Granger wrestled with her unquiet spirit, tearless, friendless, silent, proud, and uncomplaining.

bridal (not comparable)

1. Of or pertaining to a bride, or to wedding; nuptial.

   bridal ornaments; a bridal outfit; a bridal chamber

• labrid, ribald

bridal

1. Alternative form of bridale