Wedded And Bedded: Exploring The Ancient Roots Of Marriage And Its Intimacies

The phrase wedded and bedded is often used to refer to a couple that is joined in marriage and is devoted to each other. The term wedded refers to being legally married and can also describe someone who is firmly attached or devoted to something, such as a person being wedded to their work. On the other hand, the term bedded is often used in the context of bedding, which relates to rocks exhibiting a layered structure. However, in common usage, bedded can refer to someone who has had sexual relations with someone else.

'Wedded' meaning joined in marriage

The word "wedded" is used to describe two people who are united in matrimony or joined in marriage. It is often used to describe a couple as "wedded partners" or "a wedded man/woman".

The term "wedded" is also used in a figurative sense to describe a strong attachment or devotion to something, such as being "wedded to a cause" or "wedded to one's work". This usage implies a deep commitment or unshakable dedication to the object or idea in question.

In the context of marriage, the phrase "lawfully wedded" is sometimes used to emphasise the legality and validity of the union. This phrase is commonly found in traditional wedding vows, where a couple pledges to take each other as their "lawfully wedded wife/husband".

The use of "wedded" in this context may also serve to distinguish a formal marriage from other types of relationships. Historically, the term "wife" could refer to a woman or a married woman, so the phrase "wedded wife" clarified that the woman was joined in a recognised form of marriage.

While the past tense of "wed" is more commonly used in modern English, "wedded" can also be used as the past tense of "wed", as in "I wedded my husband/wife".

'Bedded' relating to rocks that exhibit bedding

Bedding in rocks refers to the layering that occurs in sedimentary rocks and, sometimes, in metamorphic rocks. Bedding surfaces are often planar or nearly planar, but they can also be wavy or curved. The bedding surfaces visibly separate each bed, and the division between beds is called the bedding plane.

The variation among different sedimentary rock layers (usually referred to as beds or strata) can range from subtle to very distinct, depending on factors such as colour, composition, cementation, and texture. For example, the Grand Canyon in Arizona displays distinct layers of red, green, white, and grey rocks.

One of the most common types of bedding is graded bedding, where the coarsest sediments are at the bottom, and the finest at the top. This type of bedding often occurs when a swiftly moving river gradually slows down, depositing its heaviest sediments first.

Bedding is usually found in horizontal layers, but it can also be inclined or have a swirly appearance. Inclined bedding may occur when sediments are deposited on a slope, such as a sand dune. On the other hand, bedding with a swirly appearance, called cross-bedding, may indicate that the sediments were deposited by strong desert winds or turbulence in a river.

The study of bedding in rocks, known as stratigraphy, is an important tool for geologists to interpret the Earth's history.

'Wedded' meaning devoted to or supporting something

The word "wedded" can be used to describe someone who is firmly believing in or supporting an idea, theory, or institution and is unwilling to change. This usage is often associated with a strong commitment or devotion to something, indicating that the person is closely attached and interested in that particular belief or cause.

For example, someone might be described as "wedded to the virtues of capitalism," indicating a strong adherence to capitalist ideals and a reluctance to embrace alternative economic systems. Similarly, a person can be "wedded to a just cause," suggesting an unwavering dedication to a particular social or political issue.

In the context of management and organisations, managers or companies can become "wedded to a certain way of doing things" or "outdated practices." This implies a resistance to change and a strong attachment to traditional methods or ideas, which may hinder progress or adaptability.

"Wedded" can also be used in a humorous context to refer to marital bliss or happiness in a marriage, as in "wedded bliss."

'Bedded' meaning to have a bed or beds of a specified kind

The word "bedded" can refer to having a bed or beds of a specified kind or number. It can be used to describe the arrangement of beds, such as in a hotel room or a hospital ward. For example, a hotel room might have "two beds", while a hospital ward could be described as having multiple "bedded, low-profile" setups.

The term "bedded" can also refer to the act of going to bed or bedding down for the night, indicating that someone is settling in for sleep. This usage is often found in the phrase "bed down". For instance, "the campers bedded down for the night around 9:00 pm".

In addition to its literal meaning, "bedded" can be used figuratively to describe something that is layered or arranged in horizontal layers. This usage is common in geology, where rocks and soil are described as being "bedded" or exhibiting "bedding". For example, "cross-bedded sandstone" or "foliaceous, foliate, or foliated metamorphic rock".

The word "bedded" is versatile and can be used in various contexts, from describing the number and arrangement of beds to indicating sleep and even describing the layering of rocks and soil.

'Wedded' meaning to be legally married

The term "wedded" means the same as married. The phrase "lawfully wedded" is commonly used in marriage vows and has been around since the mid-1500s. The term "lawfully wedded wife" means that the woman in the marriage underwent a religious and/or legal ceremony to obtain the status of "wife".

The term "lawfully wedded" is used to ensure all witnesses and parties that attended the wedding that the couple is truly entering into a legally and spiritually binding commitment, whether for their church, their religion, or their state.

The phrase "lawful wedded" is used in the Marriage Act and is different from "lawfully wedded". "Lawful" is an adjective and means that your partner is your legal spouse. "Lawfully" is an adverb and means that the whole process of getting married was done in accordance with the law.

The term "wedded" is more flexible than "lawfully wedded" as it does not require going through the legal processes of being married.

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