marriage portion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Historical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “marriage portion” mean?
A sum of money, property, or other assets given to a bride by her family at the time of her marriage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sum of money, property, or other assets given to a bride by her family at the time of her marriage.
Historically, the wealth or dowry provided to secure a suitable match and provide for the woman's future; in modern contexts, it can refer to a significant financial gift or inheritance given on the occasion of marriage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is equally archaic in both varieties. 'Dowry' is more common in both.
Connotations
Connotes historical, legal, or aristocratic contexts. May imply a formal, pre-arranged financial settlement.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary usage, found primarily in historical, legal, or literary texts.
Grammar
How to Use “marriage portion” in a Sentence
The family provided [OBJECT: her] with a marriage portion.Her marriage portion consisted of [OBJECT: £10,000 and several acres].He married her for her substantial marriage portion.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “marriage portion” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The estate was portioned out, with a significant marriage portion allotted to the eldest daughter.
- They portioned a marriage settlement from the trust.
American English
- The will portioned a marriage share to each granddaughter.
- Assets were portioned for her marriage.
adjective
British English
- The marriage-portion agreement was detailed in the settlement.
- She had marriage-portion rights under the old law.
American English
- The marriage portion documents were filed with the county.
- It was a marriage-portion trust fund.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in historical financial analyses or trust fund contexts related to inheritance.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, gender studies, or legal history texts discussing property transfer and marriage customs.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Found in historical legal documents, wills, and deeds pertaining to inheritance and marital contracts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marriage portion”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “marriage portion”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marriage portion”
- Using it in modern contexts (e.g., 'My parents gave us a marriage portion for our wedding' sounds archaic).
- Confusing it with a wedding gift from the groom's family or a modern joint financial contribution.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most contexts they are synonyms. 'Dowry' is the more common and widely understood term, while 'marriage portion' sounds more formal and historical.
Typically, no. The term specifically refers to assets provided to or for the bride. Assets from the groom's side might be called a 'dower' or 'settlement'.
It is extremely rare in contemporary legal language. Modern prenuptial agreements or marriage settlements cover similar financial arrangements without using this archaic term.
A marriage portion is given specifically at the time of marriage and is often a part of a larger inheritance. An inheritance is typically received upon the death of the benefactor.
A sum of money, property, or other assets given to a bride by her family at the time of her marriage.
Marriage portion is usually formal, historical, literary in register.
Marriage portion: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmærɪdʒ ˌpɔːʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmærɪdʒ ˌpɔːrʃ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this phrase.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PORTION of the family's fortune given at the time of MARRIAGE.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION; A DAUGHTER IS A COMMODITY.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest synonym for 'marriage portion' in a historical context?