rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymarrySurprise or emphasis
interjection

marry

An old-fashioned exclamation expressing surprise or adding emphasis.

The old play opens with a character crying, "Marry, what news?"

Etymology
marryEnglishpersonal name

The exclamation developed from invoking Mary, the mother of Jesus. Repeated colloquial use turned the invocation into a general expression of surprise or emphasis.

More examples

  • Marry, I shall, replies the knight in the tale.
  • The actor explained that marry was an old exclamation.
  • In the passage, marry adds emphasis to the reply.

Forms

marry