dower house

American  

noun

British.

1. the dwelling that is intended for or occupied by the widowed mother of the owner of an ancestral estate.

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dower house British  

noun

1. a house set apart for the use of a widow, often on her deceased husband's estate

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Etymology

Origin of dower house

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Used to be a kind of dower house once upon a time, they say.”

From The Jervaise Comedy by Beresford, J. D. (John Davys)

When his resources were at an end and Lone unfinished she gave up her marriage settlements, including her dower house, which was sold that the proceeds might go to the completion of Lone.

From The Lost Lady of Lone by Southworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte

Your uncle says your grandmother left your father her dower house and estate, because she knew his father would cut him off.

From Freckles by Stratton-Porter, Gene

"Ah, but she won't get off so well this time," he thought, and he made his way along the overgrown path that led to the dower house.

From The Undying Past by Sudermann, Hermann

No doubt it was the recognised dower house, but nevertheless there was still about it a flavour of Farmer Price.

From Is He Popenjoy? by Trollope, Anthony