Legal Definitions - coverture

Definition: Coverture (pronounced kuh-vur-cher) is an old-fashioned legal term that refers to the condition of being a married woman. Under the law, a woman under coverture was not allowed to make legal decisions or enter into contracts without her husband's permission or knowledge.

Example: In the past, if a woman wanted to buy property or sign a business contract, she would need her husband's approval. This was because she was considered to be "under the power of her husband" and unable to make decisions on her own.

Explanation: The example illustrates how coverture limited a woman's legal rights and autonomy. It shows how a woman's legal identity was tied to her husband's, and how she was not considered a separate legal entity. This meant that she could not make important decisions without her husband's consent, even if those decisions affected her own life.