levirate

(lev′ə rit, -rāt′; lē′və-)

noun

a custom of the Jews in Biblical times by which a dead man's brother was obligated to marry the widow if there were no sons: Deut. 25:5-10

Origin: L levir, husband's brother, brother-in-law (< *daiwer < IE *dāiwēr > Sans dēvár, Gr daēr, OE tacor) + -ate

Related Forms:

See levirate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The practice of marrying the widow of one's childless brother to maintain his line, as required by ancient Hebrew law.

Origin:

Origin: From Latin lēvir, husband's brother; see daiwer- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

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