dower by the common law

The regular dower, consisting of a life interest in one-third of the lands that the husband held in fee. — Also termed dos rationabilis (dos rash-[ee]-[schwa]-nab-[schwa]-l[schwa]s). [Cases: Dower and Curtesy 10, 11. C.J.S. Dower §§ 10, 12–29, 140, 147–152.]