dowry
[ dou-ree ]
/ ˈdaʊ ri /
noun, plural dow·ries.
Also dower.
the money, goods, or estate that a wife brings to her husband at marriage.
Archaic.
a widow's dower.
a natural gift, endowment, talent, etc.
Also
dowery.
Words nearby dowry
downwind,
downy,
downy mildew,
downy woodpecker,
downzone,
dowry,
dowsabel,
dowse,
dowser,
dowsing rod,
dowson
Example sentences from the Web for dowry
British Dictionary definitions for dowry
dowry
/ (ˈdaʊərɪ) /
noun plural -ries
the money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
(esp formerly) a gift made by a man to his bride or her parents
Christianity
a sum of money required on entering certain orders of nuns
a natural talent or gift
obsolete
a widow's dower
Word Origin for dowry
C14: from Anglo-French
douarie, from Medieval Latin
dōtārium; see
dower
Cultural definitions for dowry
dowry
Money, property, or material goods that a bride's family gives to the bridegroom or his family at the time of the wedding. In many cultures, the dowry not only helps to cement the relationship between the bride's and groom's families but also serves to reinforce traditional family roles and gender roles.