dower

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dower" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to a widow's right to a portion of her deceased husband's estate. Example: "Under the law, she was entitled to a dower from her husband's estate, ensuring her financial security after his passing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Japanese high-school textbooks devote impressively little space to the war, reflecting official attempts to "downplay the dark aspects of Japan's modern history," writes Mr Dower.

The Economist

Under some statutes each spouse's dower rights attach upon marriage to any real estate owned by the other spouse and upon acquisition to any real estate acquired by the other spouse during the marriage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A further reason for the decline of dower is that a system of marital rights in real estate that cannot be defeated by sale, gift, mortgage, or will of the owner-spouse came to be seen as a clog on marketability and a threat to the security of titles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The interest of dower, which guaranteed a life estate to the widow in one-third of each parcel of the real estate of the predeceased husband, lost its protective effect in 1833.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In many states the indefeasible share system exists alongside a modernized version of the old common-law estates of dower and curtesy, which have now been generally assimilated to each other under the single heading of dower.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thus, several states have followed the example of England and have abolished dower altogether, while a number of others have redefined dower as an interest that attaches only to whatever real estate is left upon the death of the predeceasing spouse.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Other fauna consist of a large rookery in the lime avenue that I find rather reassuring in an ex-dower house.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They are inflamed, however, by different narratives of history, and by national media coverage that is often parochial and amnesiac.Conflict and memory are the themes that animate this new collection of essays by John Dower, author of the Pulitzer prize-winning "Embracing Defeat" (1999), which looked at Japan after the second world war.

The Economist

The finalists in the nonfiction category were Barbara Demick (Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea), John W. Dower (Cultures of War: Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima, 9-11, Iraq), Patti Smith (Just Kids), Justin Spring (Secret Historian: The Life and Times of Samuel Steward), and Megan K. Stack (Every Man in This Village Is a Liar: An Education in War).

Encyclopedia Britannica

As the historian John Dower has noted, the war in the Far East was truly a "war without mercy".

Independent

Nor has he dropped a set this Wimbledon, and he certainly never looked like doing so against his first-round opponent, Britain's Kenneth Gandar-Dower.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical or legal contexts, ensure you use "dower" to accurately represent the specific right of a widow to a portion of her deceased husband's estate. Be aware that its modern usage is less common, with other terms like "inheritance rights" being more prevalent.

Common error

Avoid using "dower" interchangeably with "dowry". "Dower" refers to the widow's right to a portion of her husband's estate, while "dowry" refers to the property or money brought by a bride to her husband at the time of marriage.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dower" is as a noun, referring to the legal right of a widow to a portion of her deceased husband's estate. It can also function as a verb, meaning to endow, though this is less common. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in both historical and contemporary contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

41%

News & Media

36%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "dower" primarily refers to the legal right of a widow to a portion of her deceased husband's estate, often a life estate in real property. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is most common in legal and historical contexts, with modern alternatives like "spousal share" and "inheritance rights" being more prevalent today. It's important not to confuse "dower" with "dowry". Ludwig's examples showcase the contexts in which "dower" is appropriately used, emphasizing its role in discussions of inheritance law and historical property rights. Its formal and legal register makes it most suitable for discussions within those specific domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Widow's inheritance

Focuses specifically on the inheritance received by a widow.

Inheritance rights

General term for the legal entitlements to inherit property.

Marital portion

Refers to the share of assets allocated within a marriage, often upon death or divorce.

Spousal share

Refers to the portion of an estate allocated to the surviving spouse.

Life estate

Describes an interest in property that lasts for the duration of a person's life.

Legal entitlement

Emphasizes the legal right to receive something.

Endowment

Highlights the act of providing assets or funds to someone.

Property settlement

Suggests a formal agreement involving the distribution of assets.

Dowry

Property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage.

Financial provision

Highlights the act of making financial arrangements for someone's benefit.

FAQs

How is "dower" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "dower" refers to the portion of a deceased husband's real property that his widow is entitled to for the remainder of her life. It's a traditional concept that has evolved into more modern spousal inheritance laws.

What are some modern alternatives to the term "dower"?

Modern alternatives to "dower" include terms like "spousal share", "inheritance rights", or "widow's inheritance", which are generally broader and more inclusive of different types of assets.

What is the difference between "dower" and "dowry"?

"Dower" is the right of a widow to a portion of her deceased husband's estate, while "dowry" is the property or money a bride brings to her husband at the time of marriage. They are distinct concepts related to marriage and inheritance.

Is "dower" still a relevant legal concept today?

While the specific concept of "dower" has been modified or abolished in many jurisdictions, the underlying principle of protecting a surviving spouse's financial interests remains relevant. Modern laws provide various forms of spousal inheritance and support.