Dower

Dower

Dower (Latin: dotarium, donatio propter nuptias, Byzantine: hypobolon; French: douaire, Dutch: weduwgift, German: Wittum) is a provision accorded by law, but traditionally by a husband or his family, to a wife for her support in the event that she should survive her husband (i.e., become a widow). It was settled on the bride by agreement at the time of the wedding, or provided by law. ("Settled" here refers to a gift into trust.)

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Famous quotes containing the word dower:

    “At Sestos, Hero dwelt; Hero the faire,
    Whom young Apollo, courted for her haire,
    And offred as a dower his burning throne,
    Where she should sit for men to gaze upon.”
    —Christopher Marlowe (1564–1593)