donatio propter nuptias
donatio propter nuptias (doh-nay-shee-oh prahp-t[schwa]r n[schwa]p-shee-[ schwa]s). [Latin “a gift on account of marriage”] Roman law. A gift from a husband to his wife equivalent to her dowry and subject to similar conditions. • It was formerly called donatio ante nuptias (“gift before marriage”) because it was not allowed after the marriage celebration. Justinian later changed the law and the name. See DOS.