DOWER, noun [Gr., a gift; to give. Latin ] 1. That portion of the lands or tenements of a man which his widow enjoys during her life, after the death of her husband. [This is the usual present signification of the word.] 2. The property which a woman brings to her husband in marriage. 3. The gift of a husband for a wife. Ask me never so much dowry and gift. Genesis 34:1. 4. Endowment; gift. How great, how plentiful, how rich a dower
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI