levirate

The practice of marrying the widow of one’s childless brother to maintain his line, as required by ancient Hebrew law.

The institution of marriage between a man and the widow of his brother or nearest kinsman under certain circumstances.

Of or pertaining to the levirate: as, levirate marriage; levirate law.

Of, pertaining to, or in accordance with, a law of the ancient Israelites and other tribes and races, according to which a woman, whose husband died without issue, was married to the husband’s brother.

Having to do with one’s husband‘s brother.

A marriage between a widow and her deceased husband’s brother or, sometimes, heir.

The institution of levirate marriage.

the biblical institution whereby a man must marry the widow of his childless brother in order to maintain the brother’s line