Banns of Marriage

The publication in the parish church for three successive Sundays of an intended marriage. It is made after the Second Lesson of the Morning Service. To announce the intention is called “Publishing the banns,” from the words “I publish the banns of marriage between … .” (Anglo-Saxon, ge-bannan, to proclaim, to announce).

To forbid the banns. To object to the proposed marriage.

“And a better fate did poor Maria deserve than to have a banns forbidden by the curate of the parish who published them.”—Sterne: Sentimental Journey.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.