dower
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Dower — • A provision for support during life accorded by law to a wife surviving her hustand Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Dower Dower … Catholic encyclopedia
dower — dow·er / dau̇ ər/ n [Anglo French, from Old French douaire, modification of Medieval Latin dotarium, from Latin dot dos gift, dowry]: the life estate in a man s real property to which his wife is entitled upon his death under common law and some… … Law dictionary
Dower — Dow er, n. [F. douaire, LL. dotarium, from L. dotare to endow, portion, fr. dos dower; akin to Gr. ? gift, and to L. dare to give. See 1st {Date}, and cf. {Dot} dowry, {Dotation}.] 1. That with which one is gifted or endowed; endowment; gift.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
dower — vb Dower, endow, endue are comparable when meaning to furnish or provide with a gift. Dower specifically denotes the provision of the dowry which a woman brings to a husband in marriage {a well dowered bride} It may also imply the bestowal of a… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
dower — late 13c., from O.Fr. doaire dower, dowry, gift (see DOWRY (Cf. dowry)) … Etymology dictionary
dower — [dou′ər] n. [ME douere < OFr douaire < ML dotarium < L dos: see DOT2] 1. that part of a man s property which his widow inherits for life 2. a dowry 3. a natural talent, gift, or endowment vt. 1. to give a dower to … English World dictionary
dower — ► NOUN 1) a widow s share for life of her husband s estate. 2) archaic a dowry. ORIGIN Old French douaire, from Latin dotare endow , from dos dowry … English terms dictionary
Dower — Relationships Types … Wikipedia
dower — The legal right or interest which the wife acquires by marriage in the real estate of her husband. At common law it consists in the use, during her natural life after the death of her husband, of one third of all the real estate of which her… … Ballentine's law dictionary
Dower — A common law that entitles a widow to a portion of her husband s estate in absence of a will. The provision of dower allows the wife to provide for herself and any children born during the marriage. In most circumstances, the widow is granted up… … Investment dictionary
dower — I. noun Etymology: Middle English dowere, from Anglo French dower, douaire, from Medieval Latin dotarium, from Latin dot , dos gift, marriage portion more at date Date: 14th century 1. the part of or interest in the real estate of a deceased… … New Collegiate Dictionary
