What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Dower vs Alimony - What's the difference?

dower | alimony |

In legal|lang=en terms the difference between dower and alimony

is that dower is (legal) property given by a groom directly to his bride at or before their wedding in order to legitimize the marriage while alimony is (legal) a court-enforced allowance made to a former spouse by a divorced or legally separated person.

As nouns the difference between dower and alimony

is that dower is (legal) the part of or interest in a deceased husband's property provided to his widow, usually in the form of a life estate while alimony is (legal) a court-enforced allowance made to a former spouse by a divorced or legally separated person.

As a verb dower

is to give a dower or dowry.

dower

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (legal) The part of or interest in a deceased husband's property provided to his widow, usually in the form of a life estate.
  • (legal) Property given by a groom directly to his bride at or before their wedding in order to legitimize the marriage.
  • * 1610 , , act 3 scene 1
  • (obsolete) That with which one is gifted or endowed; endowment; gift.
  • * Sir J. Davies
  • How great, how plentiful, how rich a dower !
  • * Wordsworth
  • Man in his primeval dower arrayed.

    Antonyms

    * (l) * (l)

    See also

    * (l) * ("dower" on Wikipedia)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To give a dower or dowry.
  • To endow.
  • Anagrams

    *

    alimony

    Noun

    (alimonies)
  • (legal) A court-enforced allowance made to a former spouse by a divorced or legally separated person.
  • The means to support life.
  • Derived terms

    * palimony * alimonious