ENGAGEMENT
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An
engagement or betrothal is a promise to marry,
and also the period of time between proposal and marriage – which may be
lengthy or trivial. During this period, a couple is said to be betrothed,
affianced, engaged to be married, or simply engaged.
Future brides
and grooms
may be called the betrothed, a wife-to-be or husband-to-be,
fiancées or fiancés, respectively (from the French word fiancé).