\Dow"er\, n. [F. douaire, LL. dotarium, from L. dotare to
endow, portion, fr. dos dower; akin to Gr. ? gift, and to L.
dare to give. See 1st {Date}, and cf. {Dot} dowry,
{Dotation}.]
1. That with which one is gifted or endowed; endowment; gift.
         How great, how plentiful, how rich a dower! --Sir J.
                                               Davies.
         Man in his primeval dower arrayed.    --Wordsworth.
2. The property with which a woman is endowed; especially:
   (a) That which a woman brings to a husband in marriage;
       dowry. [Obs.]
             His wife brought in dower Cilicia's crown.
                                               --Dryden.
   (b) (Law) That portion of the real estate of a man which
       his widow enjoys during her life, or to which a woman
       is entitled after the death of her husband.
       --Blackstone.
Note: Dower, in modern use, is and should be distinguished
      from dowry. The former is a provision for a widow on
      her husband's death; the latter is a bride's portion on
      her marriage. --Abbott.
{Assignment of dower}. See under {Assignment}.