Wedlock is an old-fashioned word for matrimony, the state of being married. ... Even though wedlock sounds like it would have a root meaning of "locked into marriage," it actually comes from the Old English wedlac, from wed, "pledge," and lac, which denotes action.

What is the meaning of out of wedlock?

Definition of born out of wedlock

: born when one's parents are not married.

What is wedlock birth meaning?

Wedlock is the state of being married. ... Instead, wedlock is most commonly used in criticism of the actions of couples who are not married, most especially in the phrase born out of wedlock—meaning born when one's parents are not legally married.