The act of secretly running away to get married without permission, usually to avoid parental objection.
From 'elope' plus the noun suffix '-ment.' The word 'elope' possibly comes from Middle Dutch 'ontloopen,' meaning 'to run away.' The term became established in English in the late 1600s.
Elopements became so common in romantic literature and real life that they're almost a cultural institution—Romeo and Juliet made elopement legendary, even though most real elopements ended much more boringly!
Elopement historically centered on women as transgressors escaping family control, often framed as female disobedience or scandal rather than mutual romantic choice. The narrative traditionally emphasized parental authority over women's autonomy in marriage decisions.
Use neutral language that recognizes elopement as a mutual choice by adults. Consider context: does the discussion unnecessarily spotlight a woman's transgression while normalizing a man's participation?
["secret marriage","clandestine union","consensual departure"]
Women's agency in choosing elopement was often depicted as moral failure rather than self-determination. Recognize that elopement historically represented a rare exercise of women's autonomy in mate selection.
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