[dow.ry] n, pl dowries [ME dowarie, fr. AF, irreg. fr. ML dotarium, fr. L dot-, dos gift, marriage portion--more at date] (14c) 1 archaic: dower 1
2: the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to her husband in marriage
3: a gift of money or property by a man to or for his bride
4: a natural talent