English Dictionary: dowry | by the DICT Development Group |
3 results for dowry | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Dowry \Dow"ry\, n.; pl. {Dowries}. [Contr. from dowery; cf. LL. dotarium. See {Dower}.] 1. A gift; endowment. [Obs.] --Spenser. 2. The money, goods, or estate, which a woman brings to her husband in marriage; a bride's portion on her marriage. See Note under {Dower}. --Shak. Dryden. 3. A gift or presents for the bride, on espousal. See {Dower}. Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give . . .; but give me the damsel to wife. --Gen. xxxiv. 12. | |
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]: | |
Dowry (mohar; i.e., price paid for a wife, Gen. 34:12; Ex. 22:17; 1 Sam. 18:25), a nuptial present; some gift, as a sum of money, which the bridegroom offers to the father of his bride as a satisfaction before he can receive her. Jacob had no dowry to give for his wife, but he gave his services (Gen. 29:18; 30:20; 34:12). |