-ˌprȯptərˈnu̇ptēˌäs, -ˌpräptərˈnəpshēəs
Etymology: Latin, gift because of marriage
: a marriage gift or settlement required by law of the husband or his family early during the later Roman Empire and that was required by Justinian to be equal to the wife's dowry but permitted to be made after and used for expenses of the marriage — formerly called when made before the marriage donatio ante nuptias