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Webster 1913 Edition

(dou′ry̆)

Noun.

;

pl.

Dowries

(dou′rĭz)

[Contr. from

dowery

; cf. LL.

dotarium

. See

A gift; endowment.

[Obs.]

Spenser.

The money, goods, or estate, which a woman brings to her husband in marriage; a bride’s portion on her marriage. See Note under

Shak. Dryden.

A gift or presents for the bride, on espousal. See

Ask me never so much

dowry

and gift, and I will give . . .; but give me the damsel to wife.

Gen. xxxiv. 12.

Noun.

[See Dower. This word differs not from dower. It is the same word differently written, and the distinction made between them is arbitrary.]

The money, goods or estate which a woman brings to her husband in marriage; the portion given with a wife.

The reward paid for a wife.

A gift; a fortune, given.