Princeton's WordNet(3.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. dowry, dowery, dower, portion(noun)

   money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage

Wiktionary(2.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. dowry(Noun)

   Property or payment given by one spouse or his/her family to the other spouse or her/his family at time of marriage. (In some cultures, the dowry is given from wife to husband, in others vice versa.)

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Dowry(noun)

   a gift; endowment

2. Dowry(noun)

   the money, goods, or estate, which a woman brings to her husband in marriage; a bride's portion on her marriage. See Note under Dower

3. Dowry(noun)

   a gift or presents for the bride, on espousal. See Dower

Origin: [Contr. from dowery; cf. LL. dotarium. See Dower.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Dowry

   A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to a marriage. Dowry contrasts with bride price, which is paid by the groom or his family to the bride's parents, and with dower, which is property given to the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both dowry and bride price. Dowry is an ancient custom, and its existence may well predate records of it. Dowries continue to be expected in some parts of the world, mainly India. There are several possible functions for a dowry system. One function of a dowry may be to provide the husband with "seed money" or property for the establishment of a new household and to help feed and protect the family. Another may be to provide the wife and children with some support if he were to die. Another function of the dowry may be as compensation for bride price. This may be the case in cultures where the dowry and bride price are both customary. Many authors believe that the giving and receiving of dowry reflects social status and even the effort to climb higher in a social hierarchy.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Dowry

   dow′ri, n. the property which a woman brings to her husband at marriage—sometimes used for dower. [See Dower.]

Anagrams for dowry »

1. rowdy, wordy

2. Rowdy

3. Wordy

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of dowry in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of dowry in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Sample Sentences & Example Usage

1. Vibhuti Patel:

   They would see a daughter as a liability. A daughter means you have to spend. Sons are called blank checks, (In-laws) know they're going to get easy money from dowry.

Images & Illustrations of dowry