Legal Definitions - dos

Definition: Dos is a term from Roman law that refers to a dowry, which is a gift given by the wife or someone else on her behalf to the husband to help with the expenses of their joint household. The dowry could be given before or after marriage and could be returnable to the giver if the marriage ended.

Example: In ancient Rome, it was common for a bride to bring a dos to her husband when they got married. This dos could be given by the bride herself or by someone else on her behalf, like her father. The dos was meant to help the couple with their expenses and was an important part of the marriage contract.