levirate

[ lev-er-it, -uh-reyt, lee-ver-it, -vuh-reyt ]

noun

1. the custom of marriage by a man with his brother's widow, such marriage required in Biblical law if the deceased was childless. Deuteronomy 25:5–10.

levirate

/ ˈlɛvɪrɪt; ˌlɛvɪˈrætɪk /

noun

1. the practice, required by Old Testament law, of marrying the widow of one's brother

Derived Forms

• leviratic, adjective

Other Words From

• lev·i·rat·ic [lev-, uh, -, rat, -ik, lee-v, uh, -], levi·rati·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of levirate¹

First recorded in 1715–25; from Latin lēvir “husband's brother” (akin to Greek dāḗr, Sanskrit devar, Old English tācor ) + -ate ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of levirate¹

C18: from Latin lēvir a husband's brother

Example Sentences

The Levirate (from "Levir," a brother-in-law, in Sanscrit dvar) is also found operating as a stringent injunction.

From Project Gutenberg

By a Levirate marriage if a man died without heirs his remaining brother married his widow and raised up heirs to him.

From Project Gutenberg

There is absolutely no trace of a levirate system by which the nearest male kinsman must marry his deceased brother's widow.

From Project Gutenberg

We are therefore reduced to the levirate as a proof of the former existence of group marriage.

From Project Gutenberg

He regards this rather unfortunately named custom of the levirate as having its root in group marriage.

From Project Gutenberg