eleemosynary

[ el-uh-mos-uh-ner-ee, -moz-, el-ee-uh- ]

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.

eleemosynary

/ ˌɛlɪiːˈmɒsɪnərɪ /

adjective

1. of, concerned with, or dependent on charity
2. given as an act of charity

Other Words From

• nonel·ee·mosy·nary adjective
• unel·ee·mosy·nary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eleemosynary¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of eleemosynary¹

C17: from Church Latin eleēmosyna alms

Example Sentences

Eleemosynary corporations are for the management of private property, according to the will of the donors.

From Project Gutenberg

If the view which has been taken of this question be at all correct, this was an eleemosynary corporation, a private charity.

From Project Gutenberg

The system is industrial and not eleemosynary, aiming solely at providing a recognized market-place for labour.

From Project Gutenberg

(c) To public libraries, since they are for the most part eleemosynary institutions, and hence entitled to charity.

From Project Gutenberg

The lantern shone also against the knees of Archelaus, and lit up the check-board pattern of the eleemosynary trousers.

From Project Gutenberg