white marriage

English

Etymology

Calque of French mariage blanc. “White” is the traditional symbol of purity and therefore of virginity. It may also refer to the absence of hymenal blood on the couple’s sheets.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (General Australian):(file)

Noun

white marriage (plural white marriages)

  1. (idiomatic) An unconsummated marriage.

Hyponyms

Translations

See also

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