endow

[en-dou]

verb (used with object)

1. to provide with a permanent fund or source of income.

   to endow a college.

2. to furnish, as with some talent, faculty, or quality; equip.

   Nature has endowed her with great ability.

   Synonyms: endue, clothe, invest

3. Obsolete.,  to provide with a dower.

verb (used without object)

1. (of a life-insurance policy) to become payable; yield its conditions.

endow

/ ɪnˈdaʊ /

verb

1. to provide with or bequeath a source of permanent income

2. (usually foll by with) to provide (with qualities, characteristics, etc)

3. obsolete,  to provide with a dower

Other Word Forms

• endower noun
• reendow verb (used with object)
• superendow verb (used with object)
• unendowing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of endow¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English endowen, from Old French endouer, equivalent to en- en- ¹ + douer, from Latin dōtāre “to dower,” equivalent to dōt- (stem of dōs ) “dowry” + -āre infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of endow¹

C14: from Old French endouer, from _en- ¹ + douer , from Latin dōtāre, from dōs dowry

Example Sentences

One thing was clear: Flying was endowed with a sense of occasion, if only for wealthy passengers and businessmen.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "The United States remains committed to the Declaration of Independence's recognition that all men are endowed by the Creator with certain unalienable rights."

Read more on BBC

"The United States remains committed to the Declaration of Independence's recognition that all men are endowed by the Creator with certain unalienable rights," a senior State Department official said on customary condition of anonymity.

Read more on Barron's

The revolutionary overhaul endowed the Mary Rose with the greatest naval military innovation of its time: hinged gunports.

Read more on Literature

A nation that declared independence on the premise that men are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights” finds its own existential premise skewed and even contradicted if rights are granted otherwise.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bestow 
• donate 
• empower 
• enable 
• enhance 
• enrich 
• subsidize