DOWAGER


Meaning of DOWAGER in English

ˈdau̇ə̇jə(r), ˈdau̇ēj- noun

( -s )

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle French douagiere, from douage dower, from douer to endow (from Old French doer, douer ) + -age

1. : a widow in the enjoyment of some property or a title that has come to her from her deceased husband — often added to a title so enjoyed especially when there is a wife of the new incumbent of the title of the deceased husband

the empress's seal as dowager

the dowager duchess

countess dowager of Rimrock

2. : an elderly woman of imposing appearance or dominant personality ; often : one of the elder women of assured position who tend to set the tone of an assembly, social group, or community

the dowagers shook their heads over the younger generation

appealing to the dowager trade

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.