State of being married (7) Crossword Clue
Answer: WEDLOCK (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "State of being married" with 7 letters is "WEDLOCK".Wedlock refers to the state of being married, or the legal and social bond between two people in a committed relationship. It symbolizes the formal, lifelong commitment typically associated with marriage, often marked by a ceremony and legal recognition.
Why “Wedlock” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (7 letters) meaning “state of being married.” The answer, WEDLOCK, fits exactly:
- State of being married: Wedlock is the formal or literary term referring to the condition or state of marriage.
- Direct match: With seven letters, wedlock perfectly aligns with the clue’s enumeration.
- Precise meaning: The word encapsulates the institution or legally recognized status of marriage, matching the clue’s definition completely.
The term wedlock has traditional and legal roots in English:
- Origin and usage: From Old English wedlāc, combining wed (a pledge or vow) and lāc (play or offering), meaning “a vow or state of marriage.” It has been used since the 14th century to describe matrimony itself.
- Contexts: Commonly found in formal, poetic, or legal language, particularly in phrases like born in wedlock or bounds of wedlock.
- Examples: “They were joined in holy wedlock,” or “The law recognizes children born in wedlock as legitimate heirs.”
Quick crossword clues such as “state of being married (7)” often point to formal or time-honored terms:
- Alternatives like marriage (8) or union (5) might arise in similar clues, but wedlock specifically refers to the condition or binding state of marriage.
- The clue’s formal tone helps solvers eliminate more casual expressions, guiding toward wedlock as the precise, traditional answer.
- With its definitive meaning, exact enumeration, and enduring usage, wedlock is the correct crossword solution.
