n. [ OF. douagiere, fr. douage dower. See Dower. ] 1. (Eng. Law) A widow endowed, or having a jointure; a widow who either enjoys a dower from her deceased husband, or has property of her own brought by her to her husband on marriage, and settled on her after his decease. Blount. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A title given in England to a widow, to distinguish her from the wife of her husband's heir bearing the same name; -- chiefly applied to widows of personages of rank. [ 1913 Webster ] With prudes for proctors, dowagers for deans. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]
Queen dowager, the widow of a king. [ 1913 Webster ]
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