WIDOW. An unmarried woman whose husband is dead. 2. In legal writings, widow is an addition given to a woman who is unmarried and whose husband is dead. The addition of spinster is given to a woman who never was married. Lovel. on Wills, 269. See Addition. As to the rights of a widow, seq Dower.

Source: Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
 

WIDOW, n. A pathetic figure that the Christian world has agreed to take humorously, although Christ's tenderness towards widows was one of the most marked features of his character.

Source: THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993)
 

Widow \Wid"ow\, a. Widowed. "A widow woman." --1 Kings xvii. 9. "This widow lady." --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

Widow \Wid"ow\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Widowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Widowing.]

[1913 Webster]

1. To reduce to the condition of a widow; to bereave of a husband; -- rarely used except in the past participle. [1913 Webster]

Though in thus city he Hath widowed and unchilded many a one, Which to this hour bewail the injury. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. To deprive of one who is loved; to strip of anything beloved or highly esteemed; to make desolate or bare; to bereave. [1913 Webster]

The widowed isle, in mourning, Dries up her tears. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

Tress of their shriveled fruits Are widowed, dreary storms o'er all prevail. --J. Philips. [1913 Webster]

Mourn, widowed queen; forgotten Sion, mourn. --Heber. [1913 Webster]

3. To endow with a widow's right. [R.]

--Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. To become, or survive as, the widow of. [Obs.]

[1913 Webster]

Let me be married to three kings in a forenoon, and widow them all. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

Widow \Wid"ow\ (w[i^]d"[-o]), n. [OE. widewe, widwe, AS. weoduwe, widuwe, wuduwe; akin to OFries. widwe, OS. widowa, D. weduwe, G. wittwe, witwe, OHG. wituwa, witawa, Goth. widuw[=o], Russ. udova, OIr. fedb, W. gweddw, L. vidua, Skr. vidhav[=a]; and probably to Skr. vidh to be empty, to lack; cf. Gr. "hi`qeos a bachelor. [root]248. Cf. Vidual.]

A woman who has lost her husband by death, and has not married again; one living bereaved of a husband. "A poor widow." --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

2. (Card Playing) In various games (such as "hearts"), any extra hand or part of a hand, as one dealt to the table. It may be taken by one of the players under certain circumstances. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

Grass widow. See under Grass.

Widow bewitched, a woman separated from her husband; a grass widow. [Colloq.]

Widow-in-mourning (Zool.), the macavahu.

Widow monkey (Zool.), a small South American monkey (Callithrix lugens); -- so called on account of its color, which is black except the dull whitish arms, neck, and face, and a ring of pure white around the face.

Widow's chamber (Eng. Law), in London, the apparel and furniture of the bedchamber of the widow of a freeman, to which she was formerly entitled. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

widow

Source: WordNet (r) 2.0
 

Widow \Wid"ow\, n. [OE. widewe, widwe, AS. weoduwe, widuwe, wuduwe; akin to OFries. widwe, OS. widowa, D. weduwe, G. wittwe, witwe, OHG. wituwa, witawa, Goth. widuw?, Russ. udova, OIr. fedb, W. gweddw, L. vidua, Skr. vidhav[=a]; and probably to Skr. vidh to be empty, to lack; cf. Gr. ? a bachelor. ????. Cf. Vidual.]

A woman who has lost her husband by death, and has not married again; one living bereaved of a husband. ``A poor widow.'' --Chaucer.

Grass widow. See under Grass.

Widow bewitched, a woman separated from her husband; a grass widow. [Colloq.]

Widow-in-mourning (Zo["o]l.), the macavahu.

Widow monkey (Zo["o]l.), a small South American monkey (Callithrix lugens); -- so called on account of its color, which is black except the dull whitish arms, neck, and face, and a ring of pure white around the face.

Widow's chamber (Eng. Law), in London, the apparel and furniture of the bedchamber of the widow of a freeman, to which she was formerly entitled.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Widow \Wid"ow\, a. Widowed. ``A widow woman.'' --1 Kings xvii. 9. ``This widow lady.'' --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Widow \Wid"ow\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Widowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Widowing.]

1. To reduce to the condition of a widow; to bereave of a husband; -- rarely used except in the past participle.

Though in thus city he Hath widowed and unchilded many a one, Which to this hour bewail the injury. --Shak.

2. To deprive of one who is loved; to strip of anything beloved or highly esteemed; to make desolate or bare; to bereave.

The widowed isle, in mourning, Dries up her tears. --Dryden.

Tress of their shriveled fruits Are widowed, dreary storms o'er all prevail. --J. Philips.

Mourn, widowed queen; forgotten Sion, mourn. --Heber.

3. To endow with a widow's right. [R.]

--Shak.

4. To become, or survive as, the widow of. [Obs.]

Let me be married to three kings in a forenoon, and widow them all. --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Widow \Wid"ow\, n. (Card Playing) In various games, any extra hand or part of a hand, as one dealt to the table.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)