out-of-wedlock
UK[ˌaʊt əv ˈwɛdlɒk]US[ˌaʊt əv ˈwɛdlɑːk]
adj
Of or relating to a child born to parents who are not legally married to each other.
adv
In a manner resulting from the birth of a child to unmarried parents.
Morpheme Breakdown
out
of
wedlock
out
outside, away from, beyond
of
away, away from
wedlock
Etymology
The phrase "out of wedlock" is a prepositional compound that emerged in Middle English, directly constructing its meaning from the literal sum of its parts. Its core, "wedlock", originates from the Old English 'wedlāc', a term for the matrimonial bond, itself formed from 'wedd' (a pledge or covenant) and the suffix '-lāc' (denoting an action or state). The prefixed elements "out of" plainly denote existence outside of or beyond that pledged state. Thus, the entire phrase logically and transparently describes the condition of being born outside the covenant of marriage, a concept that has carried through from its Germanic roots into modern legal and social terminology.
Analysis
Structure: out + of + wedlock
- out: Old English 'ūt', meaning "outside, away from, beyond". In this compound, it functions as an adverb indicating exclusion or separation.
- of: Old English 'of', meaning "away, away from". It serves as a preposition linking the state of being 'out' to the specific condition.
- wedlock: Old English 'wedlāc', from 'wedd' (pledge, covenant) + '-lāc' (suffix denoting action or proceeding). It functions as a noun meaning the state of being married.
Examples
The study compared development outcomes for children born in and out of wedlock.
He was born out of wedlock in the early 1950s.
Although less common now, the term "illegitimate" was once used to describe children born out of wedlock.