Widow

n. [A-S. weeduwe, widuwe, wuduwe, O. Sax. widuwa, widowa, widua, O. Fries. widwe, wedwe, wide, D. weduwe, L. Ger. weduwe, Goth. widwo, widovo, O. H. Ger. wituwa, witawa, witwa, M. H. Ger. witewe, N. H. Ger. wittwe, witwe, O. Prussian widdewu, Slav. wdowa, Lat. vidua, from viduus, bereft of a husband, spouseless; Skr. vidhavā, from vi, without, and dhava, husband.] A woman who has lost her husband by death, and has not taken another; one living bereaved of a husband.

Grass widow. (a.) A wife who has been separated for a considerable time from her husband, while the latter is still living, or who has been deserted by her husband. [Colloq. U. S.] Bartlett. (b.) An unmarried woman who has had a child. [Colloq. Eng.] Bartlett.—Widow's chamber (Eng. Law), in London, the apparel and furniture of the bed-chamber of the widow of a freeman, to which she is entitled.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. WIDOWED; p. pr. & vb. n. WIDOWING.]

1Sense 1. To reduce to the condition of a widow; to bereave of a husband; — rarely used except in the participle.

Though in this city he Hath widowed and unchilled many a one, Which to this hour bewail the injury. Shak.

2Sense 2. To deprive of one who is loved; to strip of any thing highly esteemed; to make desolate or bare; to bereave.

The widowed isle, in mourning, Dried up her tears. Dryden.

Trees of their shriveled fruits Are widowed. Philips.

Mourn, widowed queen; forgotten Sion, mourn. Philips.

3Sense 3. To endow with a widow's right. [R.] Shak.