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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

breach of promise en · NOUN

Meanings

  1. (countable, uncountable) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see breach, promise.
    • In all such cases, the wrongful act, is the refusal to pay the money, according to promise; and this breach of promise, is laid in what is called the common breach or conclusion, at the end of the whole declaration. 1839, Hugh Davey Evans, Maryland Common Law Practice, page 142:
  2. (countable, uncountable) A tort in common law arising when a man withdraws an earlier promise to marry a woman; abolished in many jurisdictions.
    • A ‘breach of promise’ case being 'played out in the courts' was covered over three consecutive days and given substantial prominence especially on the commercial channels' bulletins (this was the last ‘breach of promise case’ in the state of Victoria, which may account for the sustained coverage). 1998, John Langer, Tabloid Television: Popular Journalism and the ‘Other News’, page 97:
    • Nevertheless, pointing a finger at young men and punishing them with breach-of-promise lawsuits did little to address the problem of fallen women. 2013, Mark E. Kann, Taming Passion for the Public Good: Policing Sex in the Early Republic, page 118:
    • But suppose an agreement to marry made by a man in Scotland with a minor lady in England, would we decern for damages for breach of promise in such a case? 1828, Scotland Court of Session, Session Cases: Cases Decided in the Court of Session, volume 6, page 416:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
breach of contract to marry alternative lexicographic
breach of promise of marriage alternative lexicographic
breach of marriage promise alternative lexicographic
breaches of promise Number=Plur lexicographic
breach of promise to marry alternative lexicographic
breach-of-promise alternative, attributive lexicographic

Relateds

heart balm

Translations (8)

ga sárú gealltanais (tort of withdrawing a promise to marry) · fr violation de promesse de mariage (tort of withdrawing a promise to marry) · fi miehen yksipuolinen kihlauksen purkaminen (tort of withdrawing a promise to marry) · fi miehen yksipuolinen kihlauksen peruminen (tort of withdrawing a promise to marry) · tl talusira sa pangako (tort of withdrawing a promise to marry) · de Bruch des Eheversprechens (tort of withdrawing a promise to marry) · fi miehen yksipuolinen kihlaero (tort of withdrawing a promise to marry) · es incumplimiento de la promesa de matrimonio (tort of withdrawing a promise to marry)