levirate

noun le·vi·rate \ˈle-və-rət, ˈlē-, -ˌrāt\

Definition of LEVIRATE

: the sometimes compulsory marriage of a widow to a brother of her deceased husband

— le·vi·rat·ic \ˌle-və-ˈra-tik, ˌlē-\ adjective

Latin levir husband's brother; akin to Old English tācor husband's brother, Greek daēr

First Known Use: 1725

Next Word in the Dictionary: Levi'sPrevious Word in the Dictionary: levinAll Words Near: levirate

What made you want to look up levirate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears