dower

dow·er  (dour)

n.

1. The part or interest of a deceased man's real estate allotted by law to his widow for her lifetime. Also called dowry.

2. See dowry.

3. A natural endowment or gift; a dowry.

tr.v. dow·ered, dow·er·ing, dow·ers

To give a dower to; endow.

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[Middle English douere, from Old French douaire, from Medieval Latin dtrium, drium, from Latin ds, dt-, dowry; see d- in Indo-European roots.]

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dower

Noun

1. the life interest in a part of her husband's estate allotted to a widow by law

2. Archaic a dowry [Latin dos gift]

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Dower a burrow of rabbits or the like, 1490.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	dower - money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage dowery, dowry, portion gift - something acquired without compensation
	2.	dower - a life estate to which a wife is entitled on the death of her husband estate for life, life estate - (law) an estate whose duration is limited to the life of the person holding it
Verb	1.	dower - furnish with an endowment; "When she got married, she got dowered" endow gift, present, give - give as a present; make a gift of; "What will you give her for her birthday?" benefice - endow with a benefice