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dowry

 - 6 dictionary results

dow⋅ry

  [dou-ree]
Use dowry in a Sentence
–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 dowry
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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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.
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Word Origin & History

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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Bible Dictionary

Dowry

(mohar; i.e., price paid for a wife, Gen. 34:12; Ex. 22:17; 1 Sam. 18:25), a nuptial present; some gift, as a sum of money, which the bridegroom offers to the father of his bride as a satisfaction before he can receive her. Jacob had no dowry to give for his wife, but he gave his services (Gen. 29:18; 30:20; 34:12).

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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