suttee Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of a Hindu widow willingly cremating herself on the funeral pyre of her dead husband

WordNet

Sut*tee" noun
Etymology
Skr. sati a faithful wife, fem. of sant existing, real, true, good, p.pr. of as to be. Cf. Sooth.
Definitions
  1. A Hindoo widow who immolates herself, or is immolated, on the funeral pile of her husband; -- so called because this act of self-immolation is regarded as envincing excellence of wifely character. India
  2. The act of burning a widow on the funeral pile of her husband. India ✍ The practice, though abolished in British India law in 1829, is not wholly prevented.

Webster 1913