coverture

noun

cov·​er·​ture ˈkə-vər-ˌchu̇r How to pronounce coverture (audio)
-chər,
-ˌtyu̇r,
-ˌtu̇r
1
a
b
2
: the status a woman acquires upon marriage under common law

Examples of coverture in a Sentence

under the coverture of a raging snowstorm, the rebels undertook their surprise attack on the fortress
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While Northern women were trapped in coverture, Southern states were bypassing coverture specifically for the purpose of giving married women rights to own enslaved people. Trevon Logan, The Conversation, 10 June 2024 Heavenly Mother, according to our own doctrine, can’t be some wilting Victorian flower shrinking under the protective coverture of a strong man. The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 May 2022

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of coverture was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Coverture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coverture. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Legal Definition

: the inclusion of a woman in the legal person of her husband upon marriage under common law

Note: Because of coverture, married women formerly did not have the legal capacity to hold their own property or contract on their own behalf. These disabilities have been removed for the most part by statute.

Etymology

Anglo-French, literally, shelter, covering, from Old French, from covert, past participle of covrir to cover

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