noun
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the life interest in a part of her husband's estate allotted to a widow by law
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an archaic word for dowry
-
a natural gift or talent
verb
Other Word Forms
- dowerless adjective
- undowered adjective
Etymology
Origin of dower
1250–1300; Middle English dowere < Old French do ( u ) aire < Medieval Latin dōtārium. See dot 2, -ary
Vocabulary lists containing dower
Selection Vocabulary 4, Unit 5
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Vocabulary from the Magna Carta, List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Visitors made note of his slaves, and the vast number of "dower" slaves at Mount Vernon estate.
From Salon • Jun. 28, 2020
In order to qualify as worthy husbands, Singerman says, Egyptian grooms and their families need to save up for dower money or jewellery to give the bride.
From BBC • Oct. 30, 2015
His will, made in 1931, left $300,000 to Cinemactress Marion Davies' sister, Rose, for "her association and affection"; $5,000 to each of his three children, and dower rights to his widow.
From Time Magazine Archive
She left him two years ago. got her final divorce decree only a fortnight ago, now lives in Los Angeles, hopeless of getting a dower share in his inheritance.
From Time Magazine Archive
They were Custis dower slaves, and if they escaped, he would have to repay the Custis estate.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
