1. the portion of a deceased husband’s estate given by law to his widow
Usage: legal; historical
2. money or property that a woman brings to her husband in marriage
Usage: historical

1. to give a dower to; to endow
Usage: formal; archaic

Examples

• The widow received her dower according to the law.
• Her dower included valuable land and jewelry.
• The family prepared a substantial dower for their daughter’s wedding.
• Ancient laws protected a woman’s right to dower.
• The estate was dowered to the bride by her father.
• She was dowered with both wealth and wisdom.