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dower

 - 9 dictionary results

dow⋅er

  [dou-er]
Use dower in a Sentence
–noun
1. Law. the portion of a deceased husband's real property allowed to his widow for her lifetime.
2. dowry (def. 1).
3. a natural gift or endowment.
–verb (used with object)
4. to provide with a dower or dowry.
5. to give as a dower or dowry.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME dowere < OF do(u)aire < ML dōtārium. See dot 2 , -ary

Related forms:
dow⋅er⋅less, adjective

dow⋅ry

  [dou-ree]
–noun, plural -ries.
1. Also, dower. the money, goods, or estate that a wife brings to her husband at marriage.
2. Archaic. a widow's dower.
3. a natural gift, endowment, talent, etc.
Also, dowery.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME dowerie < AF douarie < ML dōtārium. See dot 2 , -ary
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To dower
dow·er   (dou'ər)   
n.  

  1. The part or interest of a deceased man's real estate allotted by law to his widow for her lifetime. Also called dowry.

  2. See dowry.

  3. A natural endowment or gift; a dowry.

tr.v.   dow·ered, dow·er·ing, dow·ers
To give a dower to; endow.

[Middle English douere, from Old French douaire, from Medieval Latin dōtārium, dōārium, from Latin dōs, dōt-, dowry; see dō- in Indo-European roots.]
dow·ry   (dou'rē)   
n.   pl. dow·ries

  1. Money or property brought by a bride to her husband at marriage. Also called dower.

  2. A sum of money required of a postulant at a convent.

  3. A natural endowment or gift; a talent.

  4. Archaic See dower.


[Middle English douerie, from Anglo-Norman douarie, from Medieval Latin dōtārium, dōārium, dōāria, dower; see dower.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

dowry

Money, property, or material goods that a bride's family gives to the bridegroom or his family at the time of the wedding. In many cultures, the dowry not only helps to cement the relationship between the bride's and groom's families but also serves to reinforce traditional family roles and gender roles.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

dower 
1292, from O.Fr. douaire (see dowry).

dowry 
c.1330, from Anglo-Fr. dowarie, from O.Fr. douaire, from M.L. dotarium, from L. dos (gen. dotis) "marriage portion," from PIE *do-ti, (cf. Skt. dadati, Gk. didonai, O.C.S. dati, Lith. duoti, Arm. tam, all meaning "to give"), from base *do- "to give." Related to L. donum "a giving, gift;" dare "to give" (see date (1)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Financial Dictionary

dower

A widow's portion of her husband's assets that were acquired during the course of their marriage. The dower, usually amounting to one third, applies even if the deceased husband wills her a portion less than this. Compare curtesy.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: dow·er
Pronunciation: 'dau-&r
Function: noun
Etymology: Anglo-French, from Old French douaire, modification of Medieval Latin dotarium, from Latin dot- dos gift, dowry
: the life estate in a man's real property to which his wife is entitled upon his death under common law and some state statutes —compare CURTESY, ELECTIVE SHARE
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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