Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Language: Old English
Origin: wedlac, from wedd 'something given to show that a promise will be kept' + -lac 'actions, activity'

wedlock

 noun
     
Related topics: Family
wed‧lock [uncountable] old use
1

born out of wedlock

SSC if a child is born out of wedlock, its parents are not married when it is born
2SSF the state of being married
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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