dower (Meaning)
dower (n)
money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
a life estate to which a wife is entitled on the death of her husband
dower (v)
furnish with an endowment
dower (n.)
That with which one is gifted or endowed; endowment; gift.
The property with which a woman is endowed
That which a woman brings to a husband in marriage; dowry.
That portion of the real estate of a man which his widow enjoys during her life, or to which a woman is entitled after the death of her husband.
Synonyms & Antonyms of dower
Synonyms:
FAQs About the word dower
money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage, a life estate to which a wife is entitled on the death of her husband, furnish with an endowmen
dowry, present, contribution, bestowal, tithe, endowment, gift, alms, presentation, freebee
No antonyms found.
The dower rights of widows were established in the Middle Ages to protect their financial security after their husband's death.
Under the common law, a widow was entitled to a dower, which was a life estate in one-third of her husband's real property.
The dower right attached to all of the husband's real property that he owned during the marriage, regardless of whether it was in his possession at the time of his death.
The widow's dower right was not affected by the husband's will, and she could not be deprived of it except by her own act.
