dowry

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) Payment, such as property or money, paid by the bride's family to the groom or his family at the time of marriage.
2. (countable, uncommon, uncountable) Payment by the groom or his family to the bride's family.
3. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) Inheritance from a deceased husband to his widow.
4. (countable, uncountable) A natural gift or talent.
5. (countable, informal, uncountable) A large amount.

Verb

To bestow a dowry upon.

Opposite of

bride price, reverse dowry, dower, ;, see others at bride price

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈdaʊəɹi/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: dowarye

In summary

From Middle English dowarye, dowerie, from Anglo-Norman dowarie, douarie, from Old French douaire, from Medieval Latin dōtārium, from Latin dōs. Doublet of dower.

Synonyms

dower

trousseau

dowery

portion

bride price

marriage portion

tocher

dot

endowment

bridewealth

bribe’s share

gift

🎁

inherit

inheritance

jointure

natural talent

alimony

Translations

dot

dote

προίκα

dote

Mitgift

posag

bruidsschat

Aussteuer

dot

dote

dos

çeyiz

qelen

دوطة

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