Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Sponsa

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

SPON'SA, SPON'SUS. A betrothed couple; but not yet married. Amongst the Romans young persons were frequently betrothed to each other long before the marriage was intended to take place; and the act was performed in presence of the relatives and friends of both parties, when the marriage contract (sponsalia) was signed by the affianced pair, who then mutually joined hands, and pledged themselves to one another; the man putting the ring on the finger of his betrothed as a token of fidelity. The act is represented by the annexed wood-cut (Sponsa/1.1) from a Roman bas-relief. The woman was termed sperata, during courtship; pacta, when the lover had made his proposals, and been accepted by the girl and her father; sponsa, when they had mutually pledged their faith; and nupta, when a bride. Non. s. v. p. 439.

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  Sponsa/1.1