dower

About 0.60 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun The part of or interest in a deceased husband's property provided to his widow, usually in the form of a life estate.
2. noun Property given by a groom to his bride or her family, at or before their wedding, in order to legitimize the marriage
3. noun That with which one is gifted or endowed; endowment; gift.
4. verb To give a dower or dowry to.
5. verb To endow.
6. noun Alternative spelling of dougher.

Similar words

endow dowry dowery sk dot jointure courtesy widow's bench dead's part curtesy

Often followed by

and in of house is or rights to was

Word family

dowered dowering dowers