Lexical Definition

‎μνηστεύω‎ mnēsteúō (mnace-tyoo'-o) to betroth ^G:V
from a derivative of ‎μνάομαι‎

espouse.

• to give a souvenir (engagement present), i.e. betroth

Abbott-Smith

μνηστεύω, [in LXX for ארשׂ pi., pu.;]
1. to woo and win, espouse.
2. to promise in marriage, betroth; pass., of the woman, to be betrothed: c. dat. pers., Mt 1:18, Lk 1:27 2:5.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

μνηστεύω-εύω,

Doric dialect μναστ-, aorist ἐμνήστευσα: perfect μεμνήστευκα [Refs 1st c.BC+]:—middle, future μνηστεύωεύσομαι [Refs 4th c.AD+]: perfect μεμνήστευμαι [Refs 2nd c.AD+], in passive sense, [NT]:—court, seek in marriage, with accusative, ἀγαθήν τε γυναῖκα καὶ ἀφνειοῖο θύγατρα μνηστεύωεύειν [Refs 8th c.BC+]; woo and win, espouse, [Refs 6th c.BC+]:—middle, court for oneself, Περσεφόνης γάμον [μνηστεύωευμένος [prev. author] “Asin.” 26; - ευσαμένου μου τῷ.. υἱῷ.. τὴν.. θυγατέρα “PFlor.” 36.4 (4th c.AD)">Refs 1st c.AD+]:—passive, of the woman, μναστευθείσᾳ᾽ ξ Ἑλλάνων [Refs 5th c.BC+]

__II promise in marriage, betroth, τινά τινι [Refs 5th c.BC+]; γάμον μνηστεύωεύειν (with or without τινι) to bring about a marriage for another, help him to a wife, [Refs 3rd c.BC+] —passive, τῇ μεμνηστεύωευμένῃ αὐτῷ γυναικί his betrothed wife, [NT]
__II.b metaphorically, τοσόνδε κίνδυνον αὐτῷ ὁ ὄλεθρος τῶν ἀδελφῶν μ. [Refs 1st c.AD+]
__III generally, sue, canvass for a thing, with accusative, χειροτονίαν [Refs 5th c.BC+]: with infinitive, μνηστεύωευόμενος ἄρχειν ἑκόντων [Refs 1st c.AD+] —also in middle, μ. πόλεμον, διαλλαγάς, [Refs 1st c.AD+]
__IV λόγον μ. τινί pass off a speech upon a person, hawk it to him, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: Luke.1.27 ☩ Luke.2.5}