dower

American  

[dou-er] / ˈdaʊ ər /

noun

1. Law. the portion of a deceased husband's real property allowed to his widow for her lifetime.

2. dowry.

3. a natural gift or endowment.

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verb (used with object)

1. to provide with a dower or dowry.

2. to give as a dower or dowry.

dower British  

/ ˈdaʊə /

noun

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

2. an archaic word for dowry

3. a natural gift or talent

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verb

1. (tr) to endow

Other Word Forms

• dowerless adjective
• undowered adjective

Etymology

Origin of dower

1250–1300; Middle English dowere < Old French do ( u ) aire < Medieval Latin dōtārium. See dot ², -ary

Example Sentences

One of those freed was Sambo Andersen, who decided to remain near Mount Vernon because his wife and children were still Custis dower slaves.

From Literature

Visitors made note of his slaves, and the vast number of "dower" slaves at Mount Vernon estate.

From Salon

Did you know that some of the names belong to people who were “dower slaves,” legally controlled by Martha?

From Washington Post

“To help in raising and dowering her three daughters, as they are soon to be of marriaging age.”

From Literature

Most actors were coming in with this very dower, very reserved, very insular portrayal that didn’t have a lot of character stuff that you could latch onto.

From Los Angeles Times