What is a common term used to describe the property rights of widows and widowers?

The correct answer reflects the specific rights associated with property ownership for surviving spouses, particularly in legal contexts. In this case, "usufruct" can be misleading in how it applies to property rights of spouses. "Usufruct" generally refers to the right to use and derive benefit from property owned by another person without damaging or diminishing it. While this concept does involve rights to use property, it is not specifically tailored to the rights of widows and widowers.

In contrast, "dower" and "curtesy" are more directly relevant. "Dower" historically refers to the portion of a deceased husband's estate that is legally granted to his widow. Similarly, "curtesy" refers to the rights a widower has in his deceased wife's property. Both terms are linked to the concept of ownership and rights that arise upon the occurrence of a spouse's death.

"Reversion," meanwhile, pertains to property rights reverting back to a grantor after a particular event occurs, which is unrelated to the rights of surviving spouses.

Thus, terms like "dower" and "curtesy" are specifically used to describe the property rights of widows and widowers, making the answer about general property rights like "usufruct"