dower

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
  2. noun a life estate to which a wife is entitled on the death of her husband
  3. verb furnish with an endowment

Etymology

From Middle English dower, dowere, from Old French doeire, from Medieval Latin dōtārium, from Latin dōs. Doublet of dowry.

In classic literature

Synonyms

dowry, dowery, portion

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