marriage portion

A bride's family presents a marriage portion to the newlyweds.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Property or money given to a bride: "marriage portion" refers to the property, money, or goods that a bride brings to her husband upon marriage, traditionally provided by her family. This is synonymous with "dowry."

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Her family provided a generous marriage portion of land and cattle to ensure her future security. (The bride's family gave property as a gift for the marriage.)
  • In many historical societies, a marriage portion was essential for a woman to marry well. (The dowry was a necessary part of the marriage arrangement.)
  • The marriage portion included gold jewelry and household goods. (The bride brought valuable items into the marriage.)

Advanced Usage

• "to demand a marriage portion": to request or require a dowry as a condition of marriage.

  • The groom's family demanded a large marriage portion before agreeing to the union. (They insisted on a substantial dowry.)

• "to receive a marriage portion": to be given a dowry.

  • The bride received a marriage portion of cash and real estate from her parents. (She was given money and property as her dowry.)

Variants and Related Words

• Portion (n): a part or share of something; in a marriage context, the part given to a bride.
  • The bride's portion of the family estate was her marriage portion. (Her share of inheritance served as her dowry.)
• Dowry (n): the same as "marriage portion"; money or property brought by a bride to her husband.
  • The dowry was a marriage portion given to support the new household. (The dowry was the bride's contribution.)

Synonyms

• Dowry: property or money brought by a bride to her husband.
• Bride-price: payment made by the groom's family to the bride's family (note: this is the opposite of a marriage portion).
• Endowment: a gift of money or property given to a person, often for a specific purpose.

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms

• "To bring a portion to the marriage": an old-fashioned phrase meaning to contribute a dowry.
  • She brought a generous portion to the marriage, including a house and land. (She contributed a large dowry.)
• "To marry without a portion": to marry without a dowry.
  • He married her without a portion, valuing her character over wealth. (They married without a dowry.)