dower

/ˈdau̇(-ə)r/

Middle English dowere, from Anglo-French dower, douaire, from Medieval Latin dotarium, from Latin dot-, dos gift, marriage portion

noun

  1. the part of or interest in the real estate of a deceased spouse given by law to the surviving spouse during the surviving spouse's life

  2. dowry

verb

  1. to supply with a dower or dowry : endow

noun

  1. the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to her husband in marriage

  2. a natural talent or gift

  3. dower

cultures in which marriage rarely occurs without dowry or bride-price