Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

jointure

[join-cher]
See more synonyms for jointure on Thesaurus.com
noun Law.
  1. an estate or property settled on a woman in consideration of marriage, to be owned by her after her husband's death.
  2. Obsolete. a joint tenancy limited in favor of a husband and wife.
Show More

Origin of jointure

1325–75; Middle English < Old French < Latin junctūra, equivalent to junct- (see joint) + -ūra -ure
Related formsjoin·tured, adjectivejoin·ture·less, adjectiveun·join·tured, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for jointure

Historical Examples

  • "But if my Lady Rackrent dies, there's an end of all jointure," says Jason.

    Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10)

    Maria Edgeworth

  • "You will do me the favour, mother, to accept of this addition to your jointure," said he.

  • And I am confident he will make my jointure every thing, and more than every thing, I could desire.

  • The Castle of Montargis is my jointure; at Orleans there is no house.

    The Memoirs of the Louis XIV. and The Regency, Complete

    Elizabeth-Charlotte, Duchesse d'Orleans

  • So skillfully is this done that it is impossible to detect the lines of jointure.

    Legends of Wailuku

    Charlotte Hapai

British Dictionary definitions for jointure

jointure

noun
  1. law
    1. provision made by a husband for his wife by settling property upon her at marriage for her use after his death
    2. the property so settled
  2. obsolete the act of joining or the condition of being joined
Show More

Word Origin

C14: from Old French, from Latin junctūra a joining
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

Word Origin and History for jointure

n.

late 14c., "act or fact of being joined," from Old French jointure "a putting together," from Latin iunctura "a joining, juncture" (see juncture). Specific legal sense from mid-15c.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper