dowager

noun dow·a·ger \ˈdau̇-i-jər\

: a woman who has inherited property or a title from her dead husband

: an old woman who is very formal or serious

Full Definition of DOWAGER

: a widow holding property or a title from her deceased husband

: a dignified elderly woman

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Middle French douagiere, from douage dower, from douer to endow — more at endow

First Known Use: 1530

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