n. [ OF. douagiere, fr. douage dower. See Dower. ]
With prudes for proctors, dowagers for deans. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]
Queen dowager,
n. The rank or condition of a dowager; formality, as that of a dowager. Also used figuratively. [ 1913 Webster ]
Mansions that have passed away into dowagerism. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]