levir

Definition

A husband's brother.

Etymology

Borrowed from Late Latin lēvir.

Example Sentences

• "The tie between the childless widow and the levir exists automatically from the moment of widowhood. Thus a sexual relationship with anyone other than the levir would be adulterous, an offense punishable by the death penalty, according to Lev. 20:10 and Deut. 22:22."
• "Levirate marriage protects a levir's sexual property and a dead man's entitlement. The former, however, serves the latter."