Webster's English Dictionary

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marriage

mar.riage \'mar-ij\ \-i-j*-b*l\ n 1a: the state of being married  1b: the 
   mutual relation of husband and wife : WEDLOCK  1c: the institution whereby 
   men and women are joined in a special kind of s ocial and legal dependence 
   for the purpose of founding and maintaining a family 2: an act of marrying 
   or the rite by which the married status is effected;  esp : the wedding 
   ceremony and attendant festivities or formalities 3: an intimate or close 
   union  - mar.riage.able aj