First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
dowry
noun dow·ry \ˈdau̇(-ə)-rē\
: money or property that a wife or wife's family gives to her husband when the wife and husband marry in some cultures
plural dowries
Full Definition of DOWRY
1
archaic : dower 1
2
: the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to her husband in marriage
3
: a gift of money or property by a man to or for his bride
4
: a natural talent
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Origin of DOWRY
Middle English dowarie, from Anglo-French, alteration of dower, douaire — more at dower
DOWRY Defined for Kids
dowry
noun dow·ry \ˈdau̇-rē\
plural dowries
Definition of DOWRY for Kids
: property that in some cultures a woman gives to her husband in marriage
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