Category:Dowry

"ry, n.; pl. Dowries. Etym: [Contr. from dowery; cf. LL. dotarium. See Dower.]

1. A gift; endowment. [Obs.] Spenser.

2. The money, goods, or estate, which a woman brings to her husband in marriage; a bride's portion on her marriage. See Note under Dower. Shak. Dryden.

3. A gift or presents for the bride, on espousal. See Dower. Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give. . .; but give me the damsel to wife. Genesis 34:12.

---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary.

Dowry - (mohar; i.e., price paid for a wife, Genesis 34:12; Exodus 22:17; 1 Samuel 18:25), a nuptial present; some gift, as a sum of money, which the bridegroom offers to the father of his bride as a satisfaction before he can receive her. Jacob had no dowry to give for his wife, but he gave his services (Genesis 29:18; Genesis 30:20; Genesis 34:12).