A widow is a woman whose spouse or significant other has died, while a widower is a man whose spouse or significant other has died. The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed widowhood or occasionally viduity. The adjective form is widowed. The treatment of widows around the world varies, but unequal benefits and treatment generally received by widows versus widowers globally has spurred an interest in the issue by human rights activists.
Read more about Widow: Economic Position, Widows in Indian Culture
Famous quotes containing the word widow:
“A widow has two duties of a contradictory natureshe is a mother, and she ought to exert a fathers power.”
—HonorĂ© De Balzac (17991850)
“Heres to the maiden of bashful fifteen;
Heres to the widow of fifty;
Heres to the flaunting extravagant queen;
And heres to the housewife thats thrifty.
Let the toast pass,
Drink to the lass,
Ill warrant shell prove an excuse for the glass.”
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan (17511816)
“The report reflects incredibly terrible judgments, shockingly sparse concern for human life, instances of officials lacking the courage to exercise the responsibilities of their high office and some very bewildering thought processes.”
—Jane Jarrell Smith, U.S. widow of American astronaut Michael J. Smith. As quoted in Newsweek magazine, p. 13 (June 30, 1986)