Middle English Dictionary Entry
dǒuē̆r(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dǒuē̆r(e n. Also douair(e, doaire. |
| Etymology | OF döaire, douaire. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. douerie.
1.
The life interest of a spouse or widow in a share of her husband's property [as conferred by the husband at marriage, or by will or law], dower; also fig.; holden in ~, to hold (property) by right of dower; in name of ~, by title of dower.
Associated quotations
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.75 : Antiochus..wedded..Cleopatra to wyve, and graunted here, instede of dower, Siria, Inde, and Phenicia.
- (a1419) Let.Whitchurch in MLR 2274 : Savyng þe þrydde part of þe dower of Jon Parrokys part to Isabell', his wyf, to þe terme of hir lif.
- (1423) RParl.4.248b : We have to take into oure hande..ye Douairs of our Moder Quene Johanne, except a certeine pension ther of yerely.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Ex.22.17 : Bi the maner of dower, which virgyns weren wont to take.
- (1429) Doc.in Flasdieck Origurk.75 : Þe said William shall gyff..to þe said Jahn, jn name of douere terme of hir lyue, landez or rentez to þe valewe of xl li.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)49 : Wommen thatt holden in dower..after the usage of the toun.
- (1439) EEWills122/5 : He will that Margarete, his wyf, haue hir laufull dower.
- (?a1443) Proc.Chanc.in Cal.PCEliz.1.p.xxix : Ye graunted me..that all hole to be my dower after youre discece.
- (1450) RParl.5.198a : Certayn Landes and Tenementz of the Erldam or Lordship of Kendale, which she holdeth in Dower of the endowement of John, late Duke of Somerset, hir Husbond.
- (1453) Will York in Sur.Soc.30191 : Ye londis that perteneth to ye lordship of my wife dower.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)131 : The qwene off Ffraunce hath but v Ml marke yerely to huyr douer, wher as the qwene off Englond hath x Ml marke.
- (1475) Deed Yks.in YASRS 76141 : Agnes Rawson..haldez in dowere in Spofford..the revercion theroff.
- c1475 Salue wyth all (Rwl C.48)7 : Mater to Cryst..Misericordie vnto all wrecchys..we sey þis lond þi dowayr ys.
- a1500(c1447) Let.Marg.Anjou in Camd.86 (Add 46846)113 : To paye and contente us of oure money dewe unto us..of oure dower.
2.
Property which the bride brings with her at marriage; dowry.
Associated quotations
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.73 : A wel fayre mayde was prisoner..and he as a mylde fader delyvered and took hir to here owne spouse to weddynge, and forȝaf hire here raunsoun instede of here dowere.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.807 : Thilke dowere that ye broghten me, Tak it agayn; I graunte it of my grace. Retourneth to youre fadres hous!
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.848 : Ther as ye me profre swich dowaire [rime: faire] As I first broghte.
- (a1402) Trev.Dial.MC (Hrl 1900)15/11 : Þe byheeste of dower is verrey couenaunt of temporalte & schal be preued..of þe kynges lawe.
3.
Fig. (a) A spiritual gift or possession; a natural endowment; (b) a part of the earth ruled by a sign of the zodiac; (c) the Virgin Mary.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)26/9 : We schal be dowid wiþ foure dowers in oure bodi..immortalite..clerte..agilite..sotilte.
- c1425 Castle Love(2) (Eg 927)1143 : In thes four dowers sal thi body be so parfit That of all erthly ioye of hit sal be delit.
- c1450 De CMulieribus (Add 10304)103 : He wyll make mencyon Of them that..hadd ony dowere Of nature, fortune, strength, wytt or boldnesse.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)5.7.92a : Subtilite, cleerte, impassibilite, and agilite, which be called the dowers of the body.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.1257 : Southward from Alisandre forth Tho Signes whiche most ben worth In governance of that doaire, Libra thei ben and Sagittaire With Scorpio.
c
- c1390 Heil be þow Marie Moodur (Vrn)118 : Heil douweer of diuinite, Heil susteynour of Seyntuarie!