alimony
(ˈælɪmənɪ)
[ad. L. alimōnia nutriment; f. al-ĕre to nourish: see -mony.]
1. Nourishment; supply of the means of living, maintenance.
| 1656 Cowley Avarice (1710) II. 755 To see, that he should not want Alimony befitting his Condition. 1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. vi. 193 That she may have strength against both her enemies, she has need of more ample Alimony. 1726 Ayliffe Parerg. 58 These words Alimony and Victuals are used in a larger Acceptation, and denote all kind of maintenance whatever..as Meat, Drink, Cloathes. 1827 Gen. P. Thompson Exerc. (1842) IV. 543 Paying each of the members of the aristocracy an alimony from the public purse. 1876 E. Mellor Priesth. ii. 50 The age and character they [widows] must bear before they are entitled to such benevolent alimony. |
b. fig.
| 1660 Jer. Taylor Worthy Commun. i. §1. 18 These men will allow the Sacraments to be..spiritual alimony. a 1670 Hacket Cent. Serm. 287 His benediction is alimony enough though there were no meat in the world. |
2. esp. The allowance which a wife is entitled to from her husband's estate, for her maintenance, on separation from him for certain causes.
| 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. iii. 58 He should appoint the said Emme Pinkney reasonable Alimony. 1721 S. Centlivre Marplot ii. i. 143 A wound in the reputation of an English woman, they say, only lets in Alimony. 1858 Ld. St. Leonards Handy Bk. Prop. Law xii. 73 The Court can direct the husband to pay alimony. |