Coverture
Origin
From Middle English, from Old French coverture, from covrir ("to cover")
Full definition of coverture
Noun
coverture
(plural covertures)- (legal) A common law doctrine developed in England during the Middle Ages, whereby a woman's legal existence, upon marriage, was subsumed by that of her husband, particularly with regard to ownership of property and protection.
- Alternative spelling of couverture
- Shelter, hiding place.
- 1599, William Shakespeare, ,URSULA. The pleasant'st angling is to see the fishCut with her golden oars the silver stream,And greedily devour the treacherous bait:So angle we for Beatrice; who even nowIs couched in the woodbine coverture.