coverture

noun3

1. •
   Concealing cover, disguise, veil; (also figurative).
2. •
   (historical) A common law doctrine developed in England during the Middle Ages, whereby a woman's legal existence, upon marriage, was subsumed by that of her husband, particularly with regard to ownership of property and protection.

   • Note that voting by widows did not raise some of the concerns that might have arisen from voting by wives subject to common-law coverture servitude to their husbands. — 2006
3. •
   Shelter, hiding place.