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.

Origin of dowry

1250–1300; Middle English dowerie < Anglo-French douarie < Medieval Latin dōtārium. See dot2, -ary

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.