dowry
NounUS[dou-ree]/ˈdaʊri/2 syllables
Open English WordNet
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Dow′ry (dou′ry̆), noun; pl. Dowries (dou′wb-a1′>′rĭz).
Origin: Contr. from dowery; cf. LL. dotarium. See Dower.
1. A gift; endowment. obsolete Edmund 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.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54