dower
[noun]
Synonyms: dowry, dot, marriage portion
[verb]
Synonyms: endow, crown (with), endue

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Related Words: accouter, appoint, equip, furnish, outfit

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

dower noun & verb. ['daʊǝ] LME.
[Old French douaire from medieval Latin dotarium, from Latin dotare endow, from dos, dot- dowry, DOT noun², rel. to dare give: see -ARY¹.]
A. noun.
1. Law (now Hist.). The share of a dead man's estate that was formerly allowed to his widow for life. LME.

2. = DOWRY 2. Now arch. & poet. LME.

3. An endowment or gift of nature; a talent. LME.

Comb.:
dower chest (a) a wedding-chest; (b) US a hope chest; dower house a smaller house on the estate of a large one, forming part of a widow's dower and intended as her place of residence; dower land: forming part of a widow's dower.
b. verb.
1. verb trans. Give a dowry to; endow with a dowry. L15.
■ E. Bowen The daughters should be well dowered with Bland money.

2. verb trans. Endow or furnish with an attribute, talent, or gift. L18.
■ E. M. Forster A man dowered with coarse kindliness, and rustic strength.

■ doweress noun a widow holding a dower; a dowager: E16-E19.

■ dowerless adjective E17.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲