An unmarried woman whose husband is dead. 2. In legal writings, widow is an addition given to a woman who is unmarried and whose husband is dead. The addition of spinster is given to a woman who never was married. Lovel. on Wills, 269. See Addition. As to the rights of a widow, seq Dower.
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
A woman whose husband is dead, and who has not married again. The “king’s widow” was one whose deceased husband had been the king’s tenant in capite; she could not marry again without the royal permission. Grass widow. See that title. Widow-bench. The share of her husband’s estate which a widow is allowed besides her jointure. Widow’s chamber. In London, the apparel of a widow and the furniture of her chamber, left by her deceased husband, is so called, and the widow is entitled to it 2 Bl. Comm. 518. Widow’s quarantine. In old English law. The space of forty days after the death of a man who died seised of lands, during which his widow might remain in her husband’s capital mansion-house, without rent, and during which time her dower should be assigned. 2 BL Comm. 135. Widow’s teree. In Scotch law. The right which a wife has after her husband’s death to a third of the rents of lands in which her husband died infeft: dower. Bell.