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dower

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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
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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.
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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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