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curtesy

The definition of curtesy is a law that states a man gains the rights to his wife's land after she dies as long as they had children together.

(noun)

An example of curtesy is a widower keeping his wife's house after she died.

See curtesy in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. curtesies

the life interest which a husband acquires in the lands of his wife upon her death, provided they have children capable of inheriting: curtesy has been altered or abolished by statute in many U.S. states and in England

Origin: var. of courtesy

See curtesy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

cur·te·sy

noun pl. curtesies cur·te·sies

The life tenure that by common law is held by a man over the property of his deceased wife if children with rights of inheritance were born during the marriage.

Origin: Middle English courtesie; see courtesy .

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