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) ( 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

A moment of levity came as Justice Mechan decided they would strike the convoluted word "eleemosynary" - used here as legalese for charitable - from the instructions.

From BBC • May 21, 2024

It’s fair to presume that one purpose of all this eleemosynary activity is to obscure the less uplifting ways that the rich deploy their wealth.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2023

Still, the eleemosynary impulse is alive and well — not just surviving but booming despite the pandemic and polarization.

From Washington Post • Nov. 24, 2021

Organized last week was the Greater New York Fund, Inc. which, so far as business is concerned, will represent a community chest for 56 Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and nonsectarian eleemosynary bodies.

From Time Magazine Archive

I never heard of him on a platform with the Earl of Shaftesbury, and I fancy he has a contempt for all patronage of the poor or projects of an eleemosynary character.

From Modern Leaders: Being a Series of Biographical Sketches by McCarthy, Justin