‖ viaticum
(vaɪˈætɪkəm)
Pl. viatica.
[L. viāticum travelling-money, provision for a journey, neut. sing. of viāticus (rare), f. via way. Hence Sp., Pg., It. viatico, F. viatique.]
1. Eccl. The Eucharist, as administered to or received by one who is dying or in danger of death.
| 1562 in Cooper Answ. Priv. Masse (Parker Soc.) 11 Divers Christians..would..be always sure to have their viaticum, as it is termed in the old canons, that is to say, their voyage-provision. 1565 T. Stapleton Fortr. Faith 126 Whiche the auncient fathers called Viaticum, the viage provision of Christen men departing oute off this world. c 1610 Women Saints 78 After that she had receiued her holie Viaticum or voiage foode..she departed this life. 1667 in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ. III. 63 Wee durst not giue him the holy viaticum, he being so farre spent. 1685 Evelyn Mrs. Godolphin 151 As if presageing what was att hand, she..furnish'd herselfe with the heavenly Viaticum. 1744 in J. O. Payne Old Eng. Cath. Missions (1889) 28, I administered the viaticum to Will. Slie at E. Witton, he dyed Sep. 3. 1774 Ann. Reg. 151 Many people were dangerously wounded, 18 of whom had the viaticum administered. 1839 [Wiseman] Lives St. Alph. Liguori, etc. 225 Her mother fell so dangerously ill, that the Viaticum was brought to her. 1855 Kingsley Westw. Ho! xxvi, No absolution, no viaticum, nor anything! I die like a dog! 1894 J. T. Fowler Adamnan Introd. p. liv, Having received the holy viaticum at the hands of St. Kevin, he passed away in peace. |
| attrib. 1686 tr. Chardin's Trav. Persia 101 They make their Viaticum Bread once a year; that is to say, upon Holy Thursday. |
2. A supply of money or other necessaries for a journey; a sum given or taken to cover travelling expenses.
| 1582–8 Hist. James VI (1804) 100 This was very acceptabill to the Duke, and thairfoir he gaue him a reasonabill viaticum for performance of this fact. 1594 in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ. V. 243 He was sent by his superior into Scotland, and had fiftee[n] crownes for his viaticum. 1621 Fletcher Pilgrim i. ii, A poor viaticum; very good gold, Sir; But holy men affect a better treasure. 1637–50 Row Hist. Kirk (Wodrow Soc.) 423 The Earle of Dumbar dealt many angells of gold pretended for a viaticum, but indeed for voteing. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. i. vi. 102 The smallnesse of their viaticum and accommodation for their voyage..were so many circumstances of poverty. 1721 Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 587 There is L.120 of debt on the Church, and the viaticums are stopped. 1752 in Scots Mag. (1753) 512 This pannel caused to be sent him his baggage, and a viaticum of money. 1822 T. Taylor Apuleius xi. 285 When a few days had elapsed, I rapidly collected together my viatica in bundles. 1899 B. Camm Brave Days of Old 85 This money had been given to him by the most munificent Pope Gregory XIII, for his viaticum or travelling expenses the year before. |
b. Without article.
| 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. iii. 88 He allowed them only bare viaticum to bear their charges. 1883 Law Rep. 9 Probate Div. 41 The Gustaf is an authority in favour of the seamen's claim for viaticum, and it is always the practice to give subsistence money. |
c. Provisions taken for use on a journey. Also
transf. (
quot. 1862).
| 1663 Patrick Parab. Pilgr. xviii, It will be a very good Viaticum for you, and in the strength of this Food you may travel many days. 1666 J. Davies Hist. Caribby Isles 239 Afterwards sitting down on the grass, every one fell to what he had brought along with him for his Viaticum. 1701 C. Wolley Jrnl. New York (1860) 36 This Indian Corn is their constant Viaticum in their travels and War. 1791 W. Bartram Carolina 344, I..comforted myself with a frugal repast of biscuit and dried beef, which was all the food my viaticum afforded me by this time. 1862 Rawlinson Anc. Mon., Chaldæa I. 135 In the Chaldæan sepulchres a number of dishes are always ranged round the skeleton, containing the viaticum of the deceased person. 1880 W. G. Blaikie Livingstone v. 89 Purchasing a loaf and a piece of cheese as viaticum, he started for a college at Oberlin. |
3. transf. and
fig. (from senses 1 and 2).
| a 1618 Davies Wittes Pilgr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 46/1 And sith thy Pilgrimage is almost past Thou needst the lesse Viaticum for it. 1640 R. Flecknoe Trav. xxxiii. (1667) 103 Tis to..travel without viaticum for any to..undertake a voyage without the Language of the Country, where he goes. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. ii. §12. 96 The grace of God is our viaticum and entertains us by the way. 1676 Hale Contempl. ii. (1677) 186 He..hath a great freedom from fear of Death, and no small viaticum to attain Tranquillity of mind in his life. 1741 Warburton Div. Legat. vi. §6 The doctrine of a future state..was their constant viaticum through life. 1775 J. Jekyll Corr. (1894) i. 20 Bunbury's etchings and Sterne's journey are almost as good viaticums in France as the post book. 1853 C. D. Yonge tr. Laertius v. 189 Another of his sayings was, that education was the best viaticum for old age. 1891 Farrar Soc. & Present Day Quest. 211 There is all Biography..to nourish you with the viaticum of good examples. |