Definition

1. Noun:
   • Money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage: A sum of money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to her husband in marriage. This is a traditional practice in some cultures.
   • A natural gift or talent: (Archaic or figurative) A natural endowment or gift; a talent or quality someone possesses.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Marriage Context):
  • Her family provided a substantial dowry of land and jewelry.
  • The practice of giving a dowry is less common in many modern societies.
• Noun (Figurative/Archaic - Talent):
  • He considered his quick wit to be his greatest dowry. (This usage is now rare.)

Advanced Usage

• "Dowry system": Refers to the social custom or institution surrounding the giving of dowries.
  • Activists are campaigning against the abuses of the dowry system.
• "Dowry death": A term for the murder or suicide of a married woman driven by conflicts over her dowry.
  • The country has enacted strict laws to prevent dowry deaths.

Variants and Related Words

• Dower (noun): A widow's share for life of her husband's estate. (Note: While related historically, "dower" and "dowry" are distinct legal terms.)
• Dowager (noun): A widow with a title or property derived from her late husband.
• Dowryless (adjective): Without a dowry.

Synonyms

• Marriage portion: A share of property or money brought to a marriage.
• Trousseau: The clothes, linen, and other belongings collected by a bride for her marriage. (This is a specific part of a dowry in some contexts.)
• Endowment: A natural quality or talent (for the archaic sense).

Antonyms

• Bride price (or bridewealth): Money, property, or other forms of wealth paid by a groom or his family to the family of the bride.

Related Phrases

• To bring a dowry: To provide a dowry.
  • She brought a considerable dowry into the marriage.
• Dowry dispute: A conflict or argument over a dowry.
  • The marriage was marred by a lengthy dowry dispute.

Noun

1. money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage