— dowagerism , n.
/dow"euh jeuhr/ , n.
1. a woman who holds some title or property from her deceased husband, esp. the widow of a king, duke, etc. (often used as an additional title to differentiate her from the wife of the present king, duke, etc.): a queen dowager; an empress dowager.
2. an elderly woman of stately dignity, esp. one of elevated social position: a wealthy dowager.
adj.
3. noting, pertaining to, or characteristic of a dowager: the dowager duchess; to prefer a dowager style of dress.
[ 1520-30; douag ( i ) ere, equiv. to douage dower (see ENDOW, -AGE) + -iere, fem. of -ier -IER 2 ]