Under the common law, a husband's entitlement to a life estate in all the land that his wife possessed at her death in either fee simple or fee tail, provided the couple had a living child who was capable of inheriting his or her mother's estate. This right has been abolished in most states. See also dower. curtesy consummate. The name of a husband's right of curtesy after his wife's death. curtesy initiate. The name of a husband's right of curtesy before his wife's death, once the right is c...