coverture

English

noun
Definitions
  • (legal) A common law doctrine developed in England during the Middle Ages, whereby a woman's legal existence, upon marriage, was subsumed by that of her husband, particularly with regard to ownership of property and protection.
  • (alternative spelling of) couverture
  • Shelter, hiding place.

Etymology

Borrowed from Old French coverture derived from Latin coopertura.

Origin

Latin

coopertura

Gloss

Timeline

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