dowry
UK: ˈdaʊəri | US: ˈdaʊəri
n. property or money brought by a bride to her husband at marriage
n. (historical) a natural gift or talent
dowry = dow<gift> + ry<noun suffix>
- dow (from Old French douaire, meaning "gift" or "dower," ultimately from Latin dotare "to endow")
- ry (a noun-forming suffix, often indicating a state or condition)
Etymology Origin:
The word "dowry" traces back to the Latin dos (dowry, gift), which evolved into Old French douaire. It entered Middle English as dowarie, reflecting the practice of a bride's family providing wealth or property to the groom. The suffix -ry generalizes the concept into a noun. Historically, dowries were both economic transactions and social customs, shaping marital alliances.
In some cultures, the bride's family prepares a dowry to secure her future.
The dispute arose over the unpaid dowry promised in the marriage contract.
Medieval laws often regulated the size and distribution of a dowry.
She brought not only a generous dowry but also valuable connections.
The abolition of dowry practices has been a focus of modern reforms.