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.
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.
The name given to a widow of rank.
A widow with a title or property derived from her late husband. It is often added to the title, for example Queen Dowager.
a widow holding property received from her deceased husband
a widow with a title or rank - the queen dowager; a jointure, or property from her husband
widow holding property or a title received from her deceased husband; title given in England to widows of princes, dukes, earls, and other noblemen.
the widow of a nobleman. For example: the Duke of Cheese, being old and moldy, dies. His wife becomes the Dowager Duchess of Cheese. Their eldest son inherits the title, and his wife becomes the new Duchess of Cheese, just as he becomes the new Duke. So, the new Duke's wife is the Duchess; his mother is the Dowager Duchess.
A dowager is a widow who holds a title or property, or Dower, derived from her deceased husband. As an adjective, Dowager usually appears in association with monarchical and aristocratic titles.