dowager

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdaʊədʒə/

noun

  • a widow with a title or property derived from her late husband: [as modifier]: the dowager duchess [postpositive]: the queen dowager
  • informal a dignified elderly woman: a handsome dowager was standing in front of the mirror

Origin:

mid 16th century: from Old French douagiere, from douage 'dower', from douer 'endow', from Latin dotare 'endow' (see dower)