bride

BRYD/bɹaɪd/

Pluralbrides

4 meanings of bride

1
nouncountable
A woman who is getting married or has just gotten married.
The bride wore a long white dress at the ceremony.
Everyone clapped as the bride walked down the aisle.
Oppositegroom, bridegroom
Note
2
nouncountable
A small loop of thread that joins the pattern pieces in lace.
Like a tiny bridge of thread joining two islands of pattern.
Each bride in the lace held the flower shapes neatly in place.
She tightened a loose bride so the pattern would not sag.
Similarbar, tie, leg
Note
3
nounobsoletefiguratively
A thing that someone loves with deep, complete devotion.
Like loving a thing so much that it feels like the most important person in your life.
To the old sailor, the sea was his bride and his only love.
He called his violin his bride, never letting anyone else touch it.
Note

Less common meaning

4
verbobsolete
To make a woman someone's bride by marrying her.
He vowed to bride her before the next harvest.
The prince hoped to bride the maiden he had long admired.
Note

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1, 3–4

From Old English brȳd, meaning "bride".

Meaning 2

Borrowed from French bride, meaning "bridle".