Unit 8 Vocabulary: Finding a Spouse Most definitions and example sentences are taken from either the Merrium-Webster Online Learners’s Dictionary or the NorthStar 3 Reading and Writing Book (3rd Edition)

Spouse Noun: a husband or wife (someone who is married) Different cultures have solved the problem of finding a spouse in different ways.

Commitment Noun: a promise to do or give something; a promise to be loyal to someone or something Marriage is a commitment.

Everlasting Adjective: lasting forever I believe they share a true and everlasting love.

Enduring Synonym: continuing, long lasting Adjective: to continue to exist in the same state or condition The couple has an enduring love. Endurable (adjective) Enduring (adjective) Enduringly (adverb)

Faithfully Synonym: loyally Adverb: in a loyal way They love each other faithfully.

Characteristics Noun: features or qualities of a person or thing Their marriage has all the characteristics of a happy one: deep friendship, love and trust.

Background Noun: past experience, including family life and education People try to find to find someone to marry who has the right background.

Unique Adjective: being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else; special or remarkable I want to date someone who is unique.

Religion Noun: an organized systems of belief Religions often have different ideas and rules about marriage.

Courtship Noun: old-fashioned dating (the period of time when a couple gets to know each other before marriage) The couple had a two-year courtship. “Dating” is the more common term used today. -Tim and I are dating.

Date Noun: 1. a social or romantic appointment We are going on a date. 2. The person you have a date with She is my date. Verb: to go out with someone romantically I dated him in high school. We are dating.

Romantic Adjective: relating to feelings of love The couple is having a romantic dinner.

Romance Noun: 1. an exciting relationship between lovers (sometimes short) They had a summer romance. 2. the feeling of being in love (non countable) We need more romance in our marriage.

Surprise Verb: to cause (someone) to feel a mild shock The man is surprising a woman with flowers. Noun: an unexpected thing or feeling of mild shock The flowers were a surprise.

Attraction Noun: 1. a feeling of (romantic) interest Romantic love involves attraction. 2. something interesting that people want to see The Great Wall is a popular attraction in China.

(be) attracted (to) Adjective: to like or be interested in something They are attracted to each other.

Engagement Noun: a formal agreement to be married The couple recently announced their engagement. the duration of time before the wedding The couple had a 7 month engagement.

Wedding Noun: a marriage ceremony During their engagement, they planned a beautiful wedding.

Bride Noun: a woman on her wedding day Brides often look in bridal magazines for advice about planning a wedding. Bridal (adjective)

Groom Noun: a man on his wedding day The groom looks very handsome.

Tradition Noun: long-established custom There are many wedding traditions.

Traditional Adjective: 1. long-established 2. based on old-fashioned ideas In traditional Chinese culture, marriage decisions were made by parents for their children.

Arranged Marriage Noun: a type of marriage in which a husband and wife are chosen for each other by their parents American's can’t believe that an arranged marriage could be happy, but I have seen my parents with my own eyes.

Polygamy Noun: the state of being married to more than one person at the same time The groups first leader, believed in polygamy. Some people still practice polygamy.

Pregnant Adjective: having a baby or babies developing inside the body The woman is pregnant.

Produce Verb: to make or create something The husband and wife hope that their marriage will produce healthy children. Noun: fresh fruits and vegetables

Fertile Adjective: 1. able to reproduce 2. able to support the growth of many plants In the traditional Hopi and old Bavarian cultures, it was important for women to be fertile. The area along the river is very fertile. Fertility (noun)

Infertile Adjective: not fertile; not able to reproduce A woman who is infertile cannot get pregnant. The fields are infertile. Infertility (noun)

Raise Verb: 1. to bring up a child The mother and father raised their children 2. to life or move to a higher position Raise your hand if you have a question.

Support Synonyms: sustain, uphold, encourage Verb: to give help or assistance; to hold up Parents support their kids. The charity supports needy kids. The walls support the building.

Proud Adjective: very happy and pleased (as a result of achievements, qualities, possessions etc.) They are proud of the children that their marriage has produced.

Break up Verb: to end a romantic relationship I am breaking up with you. We broke up. Noun: (breakup) the end of a relationship I just went through a bad breakup

Divorce Noun: the ending of a marriage by a legal process Their marriage ended in divorce. They filed for a divorce. Verb: legally end a marriage My parents are divorced. (used as an adjective) They divorced 8 years ago.

Brokenhearted Adjective: filled with great sadness especially because someone you love has left you, has died, etc The women is brokenhearted. Broken heart (noun)

Leadership Noun: the act or position of being a leader In traditional Chinese society, sons were important because they would take positions of leadership in the family.

Follower Noun: someone who is guided by another person