marriage bed
Definition
Noun: - The bed shared by a newly married couple: This term literally refers to the physical bed where a married couple sleeps. It is strongly associated with the intimacy, union, and consummation of a marriage.
Usage
The term "marriage bed" is used to denote the specific bed of a married couple, often emphasizing the private and intimate aspect of the marital relationship. It is a formal or literary term.
Examples
- Noun:
- The ancient law considered the marriage bed to be sacred.
- They retired to their marriage bed for the first time as husband and wife.
Advanced Usage
- Symbolic Use: The phrase is often used symbolically to represent the sexual relationship or the private bond within a marriage.
- The scandal was seen as a violation of the sanctity of the marriage bed.
Variants and Related Words
- Wedding bed: A less common synonym with the same meaning.
- Marital bed: A more common modern synonym, often used interchangeably with "marriage bed."
Synonyms
- Marital bed
- Wedding bed (archaic/poetic)
Related Idioms
- To keep the marriage bed undefiled: A biblical and formal idiom meaning to remain sexually faithful within the marriage.
- They took a vow to keep their marriage bed undefiled.
Noun
-
the bed shared by a newly wed couple
