Espousal
Espousal , noun
[Old French espousailles, pl., French épousailles, Latin sponsalia, from sponsalis belonging to betrothal or espousal. See Espouse, and compare Sponsal, Spousal.]
1.
The act of espousing or betrothing; especially, in the plural, betrothal; plighting of the troths; a contract of marriage; sometimes, the marriage ceremony.
2.
The uniting or allying one's self with anything; maintenance; adoption; as, the espousal of a quarrel.
The open espousal of his cause.