Coverture

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Coverture \Cov"er*ture\ (k?v"?r-t?r; 135), n. [OF.
     coverture,F.couverture.]
     1. Covering; shelter; defense; hiding.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Protected by walls or other like coverture.


                                                    --Woodward.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Beatrice, who even now
              Is couched in the woodbine coverture. --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Law) The condition of a woman during marriage, because
        she is considered under the cover, influence, power, and
        protection of her husband, and therefore called a {feme
        covert}, or {femme couverte}.
        [1913 Webster]