— leviratic /lev'euh rat"ik, lee'veuh-/ , leviratical , adj.
/lev"euhr it, -euh rayt', lee"veuhr it, -veuh rayt'/ , n.
the custom of marriage by a man with his brother's widow, such marriage required in Biblical law if the deceased was childless. Deut. 25:5-10.
[ 1715-25; levir husband's brother (akin to Gk daér, Skt devar, OE tacor ) + -ATE 3 ]