bride
UK[braɪd]US[braɪd]
n
A woman on her wedding day or just before and after the event.
Etymology
The word 'bride' originates from the Old English 'bryd', a term for a woman about to be married or newly married. This Old English term is derived from the Proto-Germanic 'bruthiz', which carried the same meaning. The Proto-Germanic root can be traced further back to the Proto-Indo-European root 'bʰrewdʰ-', meaning 'to cook, brew, or make broth'. This ancient semantic link suggests the bride's traditional role within the domestic and hearth-centered sphere, a concept that evolved into the specific modern meaning of a woman being married.
Analysis
The word 'bride' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It functions as a single, unanalyzable morpheme in modern English.
Examples
The bride looked radiant in her white gown.
Traditionally, the father walks the bride down the aisle.
The bride and groom thanked all their guests for attending.