n. & v.
--n.
1. a widow's share for life of her husband's estate.
2 archaic a dowry.
3 a natural gift or talent.
--v.tr.
1. archaic give a dowry to.
2 (foll. by with) endow with talent etc.
Phrases and idioms:
dower house Brit. a smaller house near a big one, forming part of a widow's dower.
Derivatives:
dowerless adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF douaire f. med.L dotarium f. L dos dotis