# dower

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈdaʊ.əɹ/ · frequency rank #57,986

## Definitions
1. The part of or interest in a deceased husband's property provided to his widow, usually in the form of a life estate.
2. Property given by a groom to his bride or her family, at or before their wedding, in order to legitimize the marriage
3. That with which one is gifted or endowed; endowment; gift.

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

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/dower