Dowager \Dow"a*ger\, n. [OF. douagiere, fr. douage dower. See
Dower.]
1. (Eng. Law) A widow endowed, or having a jointure; a widow
who either enjoys a dower from her deceased husband, or
has property of her own brought by her to her husband on
marriage, and settled on her after his decease. --Blount.
--Burrill.
[1913 Webster]
2. A title given in England to a widow, to distinguish her from the wife of her husband's heir bearing the same name; -- chiefly applied to widows of personages of rank. [1913 Webster]
With prudes for proctors, dowagers for deans. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
Queen dowager, the widow of a king. [1913 Webster]
dowager
noun1: a widow holding property received from her deceased husband
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DOWAGER. A widow endowed; one who has a jointure. 2. In England, this is a title or addition given to the widows of princes, dukes, earls, and other noblemen.
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