Dower

Dower
Dower Dow"er, n. [F. douaire, LL. dotarium, from L. dotare to endow, portion, fr. dos dower; akin to Gr. ? gift, and to L. dare to give. See 1st {Date}, and cf. {Dot} dowry, {Dotation}.] 1. That with which one is gifted or endowed; endowment; gift. [1913 Webster]

How great, how plentiful, how rich a dower! --Sir J. Davies. [1913 Webster]

Man in his primeval dower arrayed. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]

2. The property with which a woman is endowed; especially: (a) That which a woman brings to a husband in marriage; dowry. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

His wife brought in dower Cilicia's crown. --Dryden. (b) (Law) That portion of the real estate of a man which his widow enjoys during her life, or to which a woman is entitled after the death of her husband. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]

Note: Dower, in modern use, is and should be distinguished from dowry. The former is a provision for a widow on her husband's death; the latter is a bride's portion on her marriage. --Abbott. [1913 Webster]

{Assignment of dower}. See under {Assignment}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Synonyms:
, / / (of real estate)


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Dower — • A provision for support during life accorded by law to a wife surviving her hustand Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Dower     Dower      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • dower — dow·er / dau̇ ər/ n [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… …   Law dictionary

  • dower — vb Dower, endow, endue are comparable when meaning to furnish or provide with a gift. Dower specifically denotes the provision of the dowry which a woman brings to a husband in marriage {a well dowered bride} It may also imply the bestowal of a… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • dower — late 13c., from O.Fr. doaire dower, dowry, gift (see DOWRY (Cf. dowry)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • dower — [dou′ər] n. [ME douere < OFr douaire < ML dotarium < L dos: see DOT2] 1. that part of a man s property which his widow inherits for life 2. a dowry 3. a natural talent, gift, or endowment vt. 1. to give a dower to …   English World dictionary

  • dower — ► NOUN 1) a widow s share for life of her husband s estate. 2) archaic a dowry. ORIGIN Old French douaire, from Latin dotare endow , from dos dowry …   English terms dictionary

  • Dower — Relationships Types …   Wikipedia

  • dower — The legal right or interest which the wife acquires by marriage in the real estate of her husband. At common law it consists in the use, during her natural life after the death of her husband, of one third of all the real estate of which her… …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • Dower — A common law that entitles a widow to a portion of her husband s estate in absence of a will. The provision of dower allows the wife to provide for herself and any children born during the marriage. In most circumstances, the widow is granted up… …   Investment dictionary

  • dower — I. noun Etymology: Middle English dowere, from Anglo French dower, douaire, from Medieval Latin dotarium, from Latin dot , dos gift, marriage portion more at date Date: 14th century 1. the part of or interest in the real estate of a deceased… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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