feme covert
Definition
- Noun (Legal term):
- Married woman under common law: "Feme covert" refers to a married woman who, under historical English common law, was considered to be under the legal authority and protection of her husband. Her legal rights and obligations were largely subsumed by those of her husband, meaning she could not own property independently or enter into contracts without his consent.
Usage Examples
- (This illustrates the legal disability imposed on married women.)
- (This shows the historical change in legal status.)
Advanced Usage
- "Feme covert" is contrasted with "feme sole", which refers to an unmarried woman or a widow who had independent legal standing.
- A feme sole could own property and enter contracts, while a feme covert could not. (This highlights the legal distinction.)
Variants and Related Words
- Feme sole (n): an unmarried woman or a widow with full legal capacity.
- By becoming a feme sole after her husband's death, she regained control of her estate. (This shows the opposite legal status.)
- Coverture (n): the legal status of a married woman under common law, encompassing the rights and duties of a feme covert.
- Coverture meant that a wife's legal identity was merged with her husband's. (This explains the broader concept.)
Synonyms
- Married woman under common law: a specific legal phrase, but no direct synonym exists in modern English.
Related Idioms
- Under coverture: a legal phrase meaning under the protection and authority of a husband.
- She lived under coverture for the duration of her marriage. (This describes the legal condition.)
Historical Context
- Feme covert is a historical term from Anglo-Norman French (from "woman" and "covered, protected"). It reflects a legal system where married women had limited rights, a concept that has been largely reformed in modern law.