Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MAR'RIAGE, n. [Fr. mariage, from marier, to marry, from mari, a husband; L. mas, maris; Sp. maridage.]

1. The act of uniting a man and woman for life; wedlock; the legal union of a man and woman for life. Marriage is a contract both civil and religious, by which the parties engage to live together in mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them. Marriage was instituted by God himself for the purpose of preventing the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, for promoting domestic felicity, and for securing the maintenance and education of children. Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled. Heb. xiii.
2. A feast made on the occasion of marriage. The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, who made marriage for his son. Matt. xxii.
3. In a Scriptural sense, the union between Christ and his church by the covenant of grace. Rev. xix.