dowerless

/'dauəlis/

Thân thiện

A young woman is considered dowerless by her family.

Definition

1. 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.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. lacking a dowry