American Dictionary of the English Language

BRIDE, noun

1. A woman new married.

But the name is applied to a woman at the marriage festival, before she is married, as well as after the ceremony.

2. A woman espoused, or contracted to be married. The case of Lewellyn, prince of Wales. Henry's Hist.of Britain, B.iv.ch.i., sect.2. [This is the true original sense of the word.]