and, while we're defining things...

turns out, it's got LOTS of definitions:

mar⋅riage

   /ˈmærɪdʒ/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [mar-ij] Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun

1.	the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc.

2.	the state, condition, or relationship of being married; wedlock: a happy marriage.

3.	the legal or religious ceremony that formalizes the decision of a man and woman to live as husband and wife, including the accompanying social festivities: to officiate at a marriage.

4.	a relationship in which two people have pledged themselves to each other in the manner of a husband and wife, without legal sanction: trial marriage; homosexual marriage.

5.	any close or intimate association or union: the marriage of words and music in a hit song.

6.	a formal agreement between two companies or enterprises to combine operations, resources, etc., for mutual benefit; merger.

7.	a blending or matching of different elements or components: The new lipstick is a beautiful marriage of fragrance and texture.

8.	Cards. a meld of the king and queen of a suit, as in pinochle. Compare royal marriage.

9.	a piece of antique furniture assembled from components of two or more authentic pieces.

10.	Obsolete. the formal declaration or contract by which act a man and a woman join in wedlock.

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Origin:
1250–1300; ME mariage < class="ital-inline">mari(er) to marry ¹ + -age -age

also...


(side note: the saddest thing i have ever seen. please note the first ad listed when dictionary.com is asked to define "marriage.")

just for shits and giggles:

PDF, and the ability to read one.

just...in case

Listen, I know you're probably all not as dumb as I am, but I keep hearing this word "vetting" being thrown around re: Sarahface, and I finally figured I'd cave and check out the definition. Turns out, it's not referring to people going around, helping sick animals:

vet1 noun, verb, vet·ted, vet·ting. Informal. –noun

1.	veterinarian.

–verb (used with object)

2.	to examine or treat in one's capacity as a veterinarian or as a doctor.

3.	to appraise, verify, or check for accuracy, authenticity, validity, etc.: An expert vetted the manuscript before publication.

–verb (used without object)

4.	to work as a veterinarian.

And there you have it! Well...it...and a bunch of definitions that DO refer to people who, 'yknow. Help...sick...animals.