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dower

[ dou-er ]
/ ˈdaʊ ər /
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noun
Law. the portion of a deceased husband's real property allowed to his widow for her lifetime.
a natural gift or endowment.
verb (used with object)
to provide with a dower or dowry.
to give as a dower or dowry.
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Origin of dower

1250–1300; Middle English dowere<Old French do(u)aire<Medieval Latin dōtārium.See dot2, -ary

OTHER WORDS FROM dower

dow·er·less, adjectiveun·dow·ered, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dower in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dower

dower
/ (ˈdaʊə) /

noun
the life interest in a part of her husband's estate allotted to a widow by law
an archaic word for dowry (def. 1)
a natural gift or talent
verb
(tr) to endow

Derived forms of dower

dowerless, adjective

Word Origin for dower

C14: from Old French douaire, from Medieval Latin dōtārium, from Latin dōs gift
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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