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dowry

dow·ry [ dówree ] (plural dow·ries)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. bride's family's gift to bridegroom: an amount of money or property given in some societies by a bride's family to her bridegroom or his family when she marries

2. man's gift to bride: an amount of money or property transferred by a man to his bride when they marry

3. christianity money paid to enter nuns' order: a sum of money required for a woman to enter some monastic orders

4. talent: a natural talent ( literary )

[14th century. Via Anglo-Norman dowarie< Old French douaire (see dower)]
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