dowry (n.)
约在1400年，“妇女在婚姻中带给丈夫的钱财、物品或财产”，源自盎格鲁-法语 dowarie，古法语 doaire（13世纪后期）“嫁妆、财产、礼物”，源自中世纪拉丁语 dotarium，源自拉丁语 dotare “捐赠、分配”，源自 dos（属格 dotis）“婚姻财产”，源自 PIE *do-ti，源自词根 *do- “给予”。参见 dower。
dower, dowry. The two words, originally the same, are differentiated in ordinary literal use, dower being the widow's life share of her husband's property, & dowry the portion brought by a bride to her husband; but in poetic or other ornamental use dower has often the sense of dowry; & either is applied figuratively to talents &c. [Fowler]
嫁妆、婚姻财产。这两个词最初相同，在普通的字面意义上有所区别， dower 是寡妇在丈夫财产中的终身份额， dowry 是新娘带给丈夫的财产； 但在诗歌或其他修辞用法中， dower 常常具有 dowry 的意义； 并且任何一个词都可以比喻为才能等等。[福勒]
最早记录年份: c. 1400