coverture: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Archaic, Legal-Historical
Quick answer
What does “coverture” mean?
In historical English law, the legal status of a married woman, whereby her legal rights and obligations were subsumed by those of her husband.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In historical English law, the legal status of a married woman, whereby her legal rights and obligations were subsumed by those of her husband.
A covering or shelter; a state of being covered or concealed; the state of being under protection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; the term is equally archaic in both legal traditions, though its specific legal history is rooted in English Common Law.
Connotations
Strongly negative connotations of patriarchal oppression in modern feminist and historical discourse; neutral in purely historical legal description.
Frequency
Effectively zero in everyday language. Appears in historical texts, legal history, and feminist scholarship.
Grammar
How to Use “coverture” in a Sentence
[The doctrine/law/state] of coverture + [VERB]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, legal, gender, and feminist studies to describe pre-20th century marital property laws.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Specific term in legal history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coverture”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coverture”
- Using it to mean 'a covert operation'.
- Using it as a modern synonym for 'marriage'.
- Spelling confusion: 'covert + ure' not 'cover + ture'.
- Incorrect pronunciation: /koʊˈvɜːrtʃər/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the legal doctrine of coverture has been abolished in all common law jurisdictions through Married Women's Property Acts and similar legislation from the late 19th century onwards.
The legal status of 'feme sole' (a single woman, including a widow or divorcee), who had the right to own property and make contracts independently.
No, 'coverture' is exclusively a noun. The related verb is 'to cover', but it does not carry the specific legal meaning.
It is a key term for understanding the history of women's rights, property law, and the development of modern legal equality. It appears in advanced historical and academic texts.
In historical English law, the legal status of a married woman, whereby her legal rights and obligations were subsumed by those of her husband.
Coverture is usually formal, archaic, legal-historical in register.
Coverture: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌvətjʊə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌvərtʃər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “under the cloak of coverture (rare, historical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'COVER-ture' – a wife was legally 'covered' by her husband's identity.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A LEGAL COVERING / THE HUSBAND IS A CONTAINER FOR THE WIFE'S LEGAL RIGHTS.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'coverture' primarily used today?