wive

/waiv/

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Explanation of the Word "Wive"

Definition:
The verb "wive" means to provide someone with a wife or to marry someone to a woman. It is an old-fashioned term that is not commonly used in everyday conversation today.

Usage Instructions:

• "Wive" is generally used in a formal or literary context. In modern English, we typically use "marry" instead of "wive."
• It is often used in contexts where someone is being married off or when discussing marriage in a more traditional sense.

Examples:

1. Simple Example:

   • "He decided to wive her, promising to take care of her always." (Here, it means he chose to marry her.)

2. Literary Example:

   • "In ancient times, it was common for a man to wive a woman from a neighboring village." (This suggests the man married a woman from another village.)

Advanced Usage:

• In literature, "wive" can be used to describe the act of marrying in historical or cultural discussions.
  • For instance, "The king intended to wive a noble woman to strengthen alliances."

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of "wive," but related words include:
  • Wife (noun): A married woman.
  • Wifely (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of a wife.

Different Meanings:

• While "wive" primarily means to marry a woman, it can also imply the act of providing care or support typical of a married life.

Synonyms:

• Marry: The most common synonym.
• Wed: Another term for marrying someone.
• Take a wife: A phrase that describes the same action in a more traditional way.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "wive," but you might hear phrases like:
  • "Take the plunge": This means to decide to get married or commit to a relationship seriously.
  • "Tie the knot": This is a common idiom meaning to get married.

Conclusion:

In summary, "wive" is an old-fashioned verb used to describe the act of marrying a woman. It is not commonly used today, but you might encounter it in literature or historical discussions.

Academic

Verb

1. provide with a wife; marry (someone) to a wife
2. marry a woman, take a wife
3. take (someone) as a wife