dowry Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
    portion; dowery; dower.

WordNet

Dow"ry noun
Etymology
Contr. from dowery; cf. LL. dotarium. See Dower.
Wordforms
plural Dowries
Definitions
  1. A gift; endowment. Obs. Spenser.
  2. The money, goods, or estate, which a woman brings to her husband in marriage; a bride's portion on her marriage. See Note under Dower. Shak. Dryden.
  3. A gift or presents for the bride, on espousal. See Dower.
    Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give . . .; but give me the damsel to wife. Gen. xxxiv. 12.

Webster 1913