What does jointuring mean?
Jointuring is the rare verb form associated with a jointure, a legal arrangement that settled property or an income on a wife, especially for life. Historically, the term could refer to granting such a provision or settling property in that way. Its use belongs mainly to older legal records and formal discussions of historical property law. A jointure differed from a dowry in its emphasis: rather than property passing to the wife as her own, the arrangement typically provided her with income for life. The word is therefore useful chiefly when reading or discussing historical contracts, wills, and legal customs. In modern English, the noun “jointure” is more familiar than the verb, and contemporary legal writers normally specify the particular property, income, or trust arrangement involved.
verbTo settle or provide a jointure for someone, especially a widow. The term is now chiefly historical and legal.
- To settle or provide a jointure for someone, especially a widow.
"The settlement provided for jointuring his widow with a secure annual income."
"The settlement provided for jointuring his widow with a secure annual income."
"The court considered whether the agreement effectively involved jointuring the wife."
Once a legal safety net for widows, a jointure turned lifelong support into a property arrangement rather than a payment from the family.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jointuring come from?
The verb derives from “jointure,” a word that entered English through Anglo-French and ultimately came from Latin iunctura, a joining or connection. That Latin noun was formed from iungere, meaning “to join.” The modern verb form developed by adding the productive ending “-ing” to “jointure” and is now encountered chiefly in archaic or historical legal language.
Related word forms
How jointuring is actually used
This is an archaic legal verb. Modern legal writing normally uses the noun “jointure” or describes the arrangement in more specific terms.