definition of
espouse

[1] #1 espouse v. [adopt, follow] choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans; "She followed the feminist movement"; "The candidate espouses Republican ideals". wn

[2] #2 espouse v. [marry, get married, wed, conjoin, hook up with, get hitched with] take in marriage. wn

[3] #3 espouse v. [embrace, adopt, sweep up] take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own; "She embraced Catholicism"; "They adopted the Jewish faith". wn