LEVIRATE

levirate

(noun) the biblical institution whereby a man must marry the widow of his childless brother in order to maintain the brother’s line

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

levirate (not comparable)

Having to do with one's husband's brother.

Usage notes

• This adjective is used almost exclusively as part of the phrase levirate marriage.

Noun

levirate (plural levirates)

(countable) A marriage between a widow and her deceased husband's brother or, sometimes, heir.

(anthropology) The institution of levirate marriage.

Anagrams

• relative

Source: Wiktionary

Lev"i*rate, Lev`i*rat"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. levir a husband's brother, brother-in-law; akin to Gr. lévirat leviration.]

Definition: Of, pertaining to, or in accordance with, a law of the ancient Israelites and other tribes and races, according to which a woman, whose husband died without issue, was married to the husband's brother. The firstborn son of a leviratical marriage was reckoned and registered as the son of the deceased brother. Alford.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition