noun.
The designation of property, held by one spouse (historically the husband) and jointly used by both spouses, to be provided to the other spouse (historically the wife) in the event of the death of the spouse holding the property.
noun.
The property so designated.
noun.
The act of joining or the state of being joined.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
To settle a jointure upon.
noun.
A joining or coupling together; junction; union; conjunction.
noun.
A joint of armor.
noun.
An estate in lands or tenements settled before marriage on the intended husband and wife jointly.
noun.
An estate or property settled on a woman in consideration of marriage, and to be enjoyed by her after her husband's decease.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
transitive verb.
To settle a jointure upon.
noun.
A joining; a joint.
noun.
An estate settled on a wife, which she is to enjoy after husband's decease, for her own life at least, in satisfaction of dower.
noun.
An estate settled on a wife, which she is to enjoy after her husband's death, for her own life at least, in satisfaction of dower.
verb.
To settle a jointure upon.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
noun.
the act of making or becoming a single unit
noun.
(law) an estate secured to a prospective wife as a marriage settlement in lieu of a dower
Word Usage
"“There was one circumstance which, though he did not appeal to it, had much weight with me in his favour, and that was the word jointure in the taylor’s letter, whereas my aunt never had been married, and this Mr. Fitzpatrick well knew. —"