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dotation

American  
[doh-tey-shuhn] / doʊˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. an endowment.


dotation British  
/ dəʊˈteɪʃən /

noun

  1. law the act of giving a dowry; endowment

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of dotation

1350–1400; < Latin dōtātiōn- (stem of dōtātiō ), equivalent to dōtāt ( us ), past participle of dōtāre to provide a dowry for (derivative of dōs dowry; dot 2 ) + -iōn- -ion; replacing Middle English dotacioun < Anglo-French

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But again did M. Thiers find himself in power, after the failure of the ministry on the Dotation Bill of the Duke of Nemours.

From Project Gutenberg

Moreover, the Italian MS. itself, written in the autograph of the General, was compiled as the solace of heavy hours at Varignano, where the King of Italy, who owed to Garibaldi's sword the splendid present of the Two Sicilies, was repaying that magnificent dotation with a shameful imprisonment.

From Project Gutenberg

Dotation, dō-tā′shun, n. the act of bestowing a dowry on a woman: an endowment.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

The long series of Algerian wars produced further changes, and in 1855 the law of “dotation” or exemption by payment was passed, and put an end to personal substitution.

From Project Gutenberg

In the beginning of 1837, each parish had its school, each school its master and dotation, and each child suitable instruction; the law punished parents for not insisting on the regular attendance of their children at school.

From Project Gutenberg