Eleemosynary

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˌɛlɪiːˈmÉ’sɪnəɹi/
• US IPA: /ˌɛlɪˈmɑːsÉ™nÉ›ri/, /ˌɛlɪˈmɑːzÉ™nÉ›ri/, /ˌɛliɪˈmɑːsÉ™nÉ›ri/

Alternative forms

• eleëmosynary diæretic

Origin

From Medieval Latin eleemosynarius ("alms dispenser"), from Late Latin eleemosyna ("alms"), from Ancient Greek ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosynē, "alms"), from ἐλεέω (eleëō, "I have mercy"), from ἔλεος (eleos, "pity").

Compare Italian elemosina.

Full definition of eleemosynary

Adjective

1. Relating to charity, alms, or almsgiving.
• 1918, Christopher Morley, "Owd Bob" in Mince Pie:He did some work for the New York Public Library . . . and also dabbled in eleemosynary science for the Russell Sage Foundation.
2. Given in charity or alms; having the nature of alms; as, eleemosynary assistance.
• 1749, Henry Fielding, , Book I ch i:An author ought to consider himself, not as a gentleman who gives a private or eleemosynary treat, but rather as one who keeps a public ordinary, at which all persons are welcome for their money.
• 1855, Walt Whitman, "To the Pending Year" in Leaves of Grass:Crouch low thy neck to eleemosynary gifts.
3. Supported by charity; as, eleemosynary poor.
• 1959, s:Author:Frank Chodorov, s:The Rise and Fall of Society, The s:Additional_amendments_to_the_United_States_Constitution#Amendment_XVI
• 1991, Washington Post, October 27:Amidst all this, the legal business, the acquiring of land, the construction of the Montgomery Block, Billings had generosity and time to support the founding of the University of California and a half dozen churches, schools, orphan asylums and other eleemosynary institutions.

Usage notes

A formal, literary word; in everyday use charitable is used instead.

Synonyms

• charitable

Noun

1. (obsolete) A beggar

Related terms

• eleemosynate
• eleemosynous