Curtesy

noun

1. The life tenure that by common law is held by a man over the property of his deceased wife if children with rights of inheritance were born during the marriage.
2. See courtesy.
3. the life estate which a husband has in the lands of his deceased wife, which by the common law takes effect where he has had issue by her, born alive, and capable of inheriting the lands.
4. The tenure that a man is entitled to over the property of his deceased wife if there is a child who could inherit it.