Suttee

Sut*tee" (?), n. [Skr. satī a faithful wife, fem. of sant existing, real, true, good, p. pr. of as to be. Cf. Sooth.] 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.