Dowager
/ˈdaʊ.ə.dʒər/noun
A widow holding a title or property derived from her deceased husband, especially a royal or noble widow.
Did you know?Dowager ultimately comes from the same root as Latin dōtāre, “to endow,” so the title is tied to the ancient idea of property set aside for a woman’s support after her husband dies.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
dotārium
“A dowry or marriage portion”
Old French
OF
douaire
“A widow’s jointure or dower rights”
Middle English
ME
dowarie
“A widow’s property or jointure”
16th Century
English
dowager
“A widow, especially one entitled to property from her late husband”
Modern English
English
dowager
“A titled widow, especially of royal or noble rank”