Dower
Dower , noun
[French douaire, Late Latin dotarium, from Latin dotare to endow, portion, from dos dower; akin to Greek {not transcribed} gift, and to Latin dare to give. See 1st Date, and compare Dot dowry, Dotation.]
1.
That with which one is gifted or endowed; endowment; gift.
How great, how plentiful, how rich a dower!
Man in his primeval dower arrayed.
2.
The property with which a woman is endowed
(a)
That which a woman brings to a husband in marriage; dowry. [Obsolete]
His wife brought in dower Cilicia's crown.
(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
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.
Collocations (1)
Assignment of dower , See under Assignment.