Dower \Dow"er\, n. [F. douaire, LL. dotarium, from L. dotare to endow, portion, fr. dos dower; akin to Gr. ? gift, and to L. dare to give. See 1st Date, and cf. Dot dowry, Dotation.]

1. That with which one is gifted or endowed; endowment; gift.

How great, how plentiful, how rich a dower! --Sir J. Davies.

Man in his primeval dower arrayed. --Wordsworth.

2. The property with which a woman is endowed; especially:
   (a) That which a woman brings to a husband in marriage; dowry. [Obs.]

His wife brought in dower Cilicia's crown. --Dryden.
   (b) (Law) That portion of the real estate of a man which his widow enjoys during her life, or to which a woman is entitled after the death of her husband. --Blackstone.

Note: Dower, in modern use, is and should be distinguished from dowry. The former is a provision for a widow on her husband's death; the latter is a bride's portion on her marriage. --Abbott.

Assignment of dower. See under Assignment.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)