The designation, In colloquial language, of that portion of a decedent's personal estate (one-third) which goes to the widow where there is also a child or chib dren. See Yeomans v. Stevens, 2 Allen (Mass.) 350; o’Hara v. Dever, 46 Barb. (N, Y.) 614
Source: Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)