dowry

American  

[dou-ree] / ˈdaʊ ri /

Also dowery

noun

plural

dowries

1. Also the money, goods, or estate that a wife brings to her husband at marriage.

2. Archaic. a widow's dower.

3. a natural gift, endowment, talent, etc.

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dowry British  

/ ˈdaʊərɪ /

noun

1. the money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage

2. (esp formerly) a gift made by a man to his bride or her parents

3. Christianity a sum of money required on entering certain orders of nuns

4. a natural talent or gift

5. obsolete a widow's dower

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dowry Cultural  

1. Money, property, or material goods that a bride's family gives to the bridegroom or his family at the time of the wedding. In many cultures, the dowry not only helps to cement the relationship between the bride's and groom's families but also serves to reinforce traditional family roles and gender roles.

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Etymology

Origin of dowry

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English dowerie, from Anglo-French douarie, from Medieval Latin dōtārium. See dot ², -ary

Example Sentences

But instead of navigating society balls and dowries, Pickett's modern Emma is poking her nose into her friends' online dating profiles, having returned home after failing her exams at Oxford University.

From BBC

If she can collect the dowry from Charlie, she and Stanley can sail to Australia to escape the police and live happily ever after Down Under.

From Los Angeles Times

But the young man said he was grateful that since he began mining five years ago, he has been able to save a little money for a dowry and is now married with children.

From BBC

The islands were gifted to Scotland, along with Shetland, by King Christian I of Denmark and Norway in 1472 as security for a wedding dowry.

From BBC

“If anything, I have a negative dowry,” Lucy admits, insisting that she has zero intention to wed herself unless the groom is very rich.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ancestry
• culture
• custom
• legacy
• right
• tradition