English Explanatory Dictionary

levirate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Having to do with one's husband's brother.
noun
  1. A marriage between a widow and her deceased husband's brother or, sometimes, heir.
  2. The institution of levirate marriage.

Pronunciation

/ˈlɛvɪɹət/

Word forms

levirate levirates

Etymology

From Latin lēvir (“husband's brother, brother-in-law”) + -ate (adjective-forming suffix), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dayh₂wḗr (“one's brother-in-law”).

Derived words

leviratic leviratical leviration
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