1. Eccles. law. A religious ceremony confirming an agreement to marry. • Historically, a betrothal was performed months or years before the parties wedded. It was in theory as legally binding as a marriage and created an impediment to marriage with any other person, but not an insurmountable impediment. In modern form, the betrothal is usu. part of the marriage ceremony. — Also termed betrothment. See ENGAGEMENT(2). Cf. precontract under CONTRACT; ESPOUSALS.
2. Slang. A corporate merger agreement.
