Emily Dickinson Lexicon

dower (-s, -'s), n. [OFr douaire < L. dōtāre, endow.] (webplay: great, life, portion, rich, woman).

1. Money; property a wife brings to her husband upon their marriage.
2. Inheritance; share of an estate; property a widow receives following the death of her husband; [fig.] recognition from others; remembrance by others; fame after death.
3. Gift; endowment.