eleemosynary

American  

[el-uh-mos-uh-ner-ee, -moz-, el-ee-uh-] / ˌɛl əˈmɒs əˌnɛr i, -ˈmɒz-, ˌɛl i ə- /

adjective

1. of or relating to alms, charity, or charitable donations; charitable.

2. derived from or provided by charity.

3. dependent on or supported by charity.

   an eleemosynary educational institution.

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eleemosynary British  

/ ˌɛlɪiːˈmɒsɪnərɪ /

adjective

1. of, concerned with, or dependent on charity

2. given as an act of charity

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Other Word Forms

• noneleemosynary
  adjective
• uneleemosynary
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of eleemosynary

First recorded in 1610–20; from Medieval Latin eleēmosynārius, equivalent to Late Latin eleēmosyn(a) ( see alms) + Latin -ārius -ary

Explanation

Eleemosynary is an adjective that describes things that are related to charitable giving, especially when you're talking about assistance to the poor. Monetary donations to eleemosynary institutions are usually tax deductible. Eleemosynary comes from the Latin word eleemosyna, which means alms, the historic term for money or food given to the poor. Eleemosyna is rooted in the Greek word eleos, meaning mercy. You can use the word eleemosynary today when you mean pertaining to or dependent on charitable giving. If you say, "Eleemosynary contributions commence with one's own domicile," then you've found a verbose way to say, "Charity begins at home."

Example Sentences

Eleemosynary Reading of Lee Blessing’s play about three generations of brilliant women in the same family.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2016

The Wesbrook women, Lee Blessing says in his haunting off-Broadway play Eleemosynary, are determined to be exceptional.

From Time Magazine Archive

Eleemosynary corporations, nature of, defined, 6, 9; colleges are included under, 22.

From The Great Speeches and Orations of Daniel Webster With an Essay on Daniel Webster as a Master of English Style by Webster, Daniel

Two chapels were erected, the one annexed to the female establishment being dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, and the other to St. John the Eleemosynary, a canonized patriarch of Alexandria, remarkable for his exceeding charity.

From The History of the Knights Templars, the Temple Church, and the Temple by Addison, Charles G.

The Almonry, or "Eleemosynary," as Stow calls it, was in two parts, of which the larger was again subdivided in two portions, parallel to the two Tothill Streets.

From Westminster The Fascination of London by Smith, A. Murray, Mrs.