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levirate
[ lev-er-it, -uh-reyt, lee-ver-it, -vuh-reyt ]
/ ˈlɛv ər ɪt, -əˌreɪt, ˈli vər ɪt, -vəˌreɪt /
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noun
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.
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Origin of levirate
First recorded in 1715–25; from Latin lēvir “husband's brother” (akin to Greek dāḗr, Sanskrit devar, Old English tācor ) + -ate3
OTHER WORDS FROM levirate
lev·i·rat·ic [lev-uh-rat-ik, lee-vuh-], /ˌlɛv əˈræt ɪk, ˌli və-/, lev·i·rat·i·cal, adjectiveWords nearby levirate
levier, levigate, Levi-Montalcini, levin, Levine, levirate, Levi's, Lévi-Strauss, levitate, levitation, Levite
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use levirate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for levirate
levirate
/ (ˈlɛvɪrɪt) /
noun
the practice, required by Old Testament law, of marrying the widow of one's brother
Derived forms of levirate
leviratic (ˌlɛvɪˈrætɪk) or leviratical, adjectiveWord Origin for levirate
C18: from Latin lēvir a husband's brother
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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