endow
[ en-dou ]
/ ɛnˈdaʊ /
verb (used with object)
to provide with a permanent fund or source of income: to endow a college.
to furnish, as with some talent, faculty, or quality; equip: Nature has endowed her with great ability.
Obsolete. to provide with a dower.
verb (used without object)
(of a life-insurance policy) to become payable; yield its conditions.
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Origin of endow
1350–1400; Middle English endowen < Old French endouer, equivalent to en- en-1 + douer < Latin dōtāre to dower, equivalent to dōt- (stem of dōs) dowry + -āre infinitive suffix
Related forms
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for endow
British Dictionary definitions for endow
endow
/ (ɪnˈdaʊ) /
verb (tr)
to provide with or bequeath a source of permanent income
(usually foll by with) to provide (with qualities, characteristics, etc)
obsolete to provide with a dower
Derived Forms
endower, nounWord Origin for endow
C14: from Old French endouer, from en- 1 + douer, from Latin dōtāre, from dōs dowry
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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