dowerless
/'dauəlis/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Lacking a dowry: Describes a person, typically a woman, who does not possess a dowry—property or money brought by a bride to her husband at marriage.
Usage
- The adjective "dowerless" is used to describe the financial or property status of a bride in the context of marriage, often highlighting a potential social or economic disadvantage in historical or traditional settings.
- It is a formal and somewhat archaic term, most commonly found in historical, literary, or legal contexts.
Examples
- In the 19th-century novel, the dowerless heroine faced significant challenges in finding a suitable marriage.
- The law at the time offered little protection for dowerless widows.
- Being dowerless was considered a serious impediment to a good match in many societies.
Advanced Usage
- "To be left dowerless": To be left without a dowry or inheritance, often due to family circumstances.
- After her father's bankruptcy, she was left dowerless and her prospects diminished.
Variants and Related Words
- Dower (noun): The life interest of a widow in her deceased husband's estate; also, a dowry.
- Her dower provided security after her husband's death.
- Dowry (noun): Property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage.
- The family negotiated the size of the dowry.
Synonyms
- Portionless: Lacking a marriage portion or dowry.
- Unendowed: Not provided with a dowry or endowment.
Antonyms
- Dowered: Provided with a dower or dowry.
- Endowed: Provided with a dowry or property.
Adjective
-
lacking a dowry
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