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dowry definition

dowry (do̵u′rē)

noun pl. dowries -·ries

  1. the property that a woman brings to her husband at marriage: now chiefly historical or metaphorical
  2. a natural talent, gift, or endowment
  3. Archaic a widow's dower
  4. Archaic a gift by a man to his bride

Etymology: ME douerie < Anglo-Fr & OFr douarie: see dower

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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