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History vocabulary · Social History

Dowry

Meaning in history, with examples

nounCommon term

In history, dowry means: Property or wealth transferred at marriage from the bride or her family, under customs that vary between societies.

In Turkish: çeyiz, evlilikte verilen mal veya servet

How it is used

Do not assume identical ownership rules everywhere; distinguish dowry from payments made by the groom's family.

Example sentences

  1. The marriage agreement lists land and household goods as dowry.

    Dowry may include assets beyond clothing or bedding.

  2. The widow's petition asked for the return of her dowry.

    Marriage transfers can later become subjects of property disputes.

Common collocations

  • provide a dowry
  • dowry agreement
  • social classA group of people in a society who share a similar economic position, such as wealth, occupation or education, and often similar status and opportunities.
  • primary sourceEvidence created at the time being studied or by people who witnessed it, such as letters, diaries, official records, photographs or objects.

More terms: Social History

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