dower house

American  

noun

British.

1. the dwelling that is intended for or occupied by the widowed mother of the owner of an ancestral estate.

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dower house British  

noun

1. a house set apart for the use of a widow, often on her deceased husband's estate

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Etymology

Origin of dower house

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Whenever Philip married, she would find it no hardship at all to retire to the dower house at the edge of the park.

From Lady Merton, Colonist by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.

It was the inkyo, the "shadow dwelling" or dower house.

From Kimono by Paris, John

It happened that the old lady's dower house was at Stevening, some fourteen or fifteen miles from Exham Park.

From Miss Arnott's Marriage by Marsh, Richard

No doubt it was the recognised dower house, but nevertheless there was still about it a flavour of Farmer Price.

From Is He Popenjoy? by Trollope, Anthony

"Ah, but she won't get off so well this time," he thought, and he made his way along the overgrown path that led to the dower house.

From The Undying Past by Sudermann, Hermann