wid·ow·hood \ˈ ̷ ̷(ˌ) ̷ ̷ˌhu̇d\noun Etymology: Middle English widewehod, widewehad, from widewe widow + -hod, -had -hood — more at widow 1.: the quality or state of being a widow < destined to an early widowhood > 2.: the period during which a person remains a widow < married again after a brief widowhood >