suttee

n. [ Skr. satī a faithful wife, fem. of sant existing, real, true, good, p. pr. of as to be. Cf. Sooth. ] 1. A Hindoo widow who immolates herself, or is immolated, on the funeral pile of her husband; -- so called because this act of self-immolation is regarded as envincing excellence of wifely character. [ India ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act of burning a widow on the funeral pile of her husband. [ India ] [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The practice, though abolished in British India law in 1829, is not wholly prevented. [ 1913 Webster ]