Dow"a*ger (?), n. [OF. douagiere, fr. douage dower. See Dower.]
1. Eng.Law
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.
Blount. Burrill.
2.
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.
With prudes for proctors, dowagers for deans.
Tennyson.
Queen dowager, the widow of a king.
© Webster 1913.