What does the legal term "coverture" refer to?

The term "coverture" refers to the legal status of a married woman, specifically the legal doctrine that historically granted husbands control over their wives' legal rights and obligations. Under coverture, a married woman was not deemed to have a separate legal identity from her husband, which significantly impacted her ability to own property, enter into contracts, or initiate legal actions independently. This concept was rooted in English common law and has largely been modified or abolished in modern legal systems, but it remains a significant historical reference when discussing the evolution of women's rights and legal status within marriage.