Widow

Widow

A widow is a woman whose spouse or significant other has died, while a widower is a man whose spouse or significant other has died. The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed widowhood or occasionally viduity. The adjective form is widowed. The treatment of widows around the world varies, but unequal benefits and treatment generally received by widows versus widowers globally has spurred an interest in the issue by human rights activists.

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Famous quotes containing the word widow:

    Nae living man I’ll love again,
    Since that my lovely knight is slain.
    Wi ae lock of his yellow hair
    I’ll chain my heart for evermair.
    —Unknown. The Lament of the Border Widow (l. 25–28)

    Here’s to the maiden of bashful fifteen;
    Here’s to the widow of fifty;
    Here’s to the flaunting extravagant queen;
    And here’s to the housewife that’s thrifty.
    Let the toast pass,—
    Drink to the lass,
    I’ll warrant she’ll prove an excuse for the glass.
    Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751–1816)

    For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.
    Bible: New Testament, Mark 12:44.

    Jesus watching the widow contribute her two mites.