peculium

British  

/ pɪˈkjuːlɪəm /

noun

1. Roman law property that a father or master allowed his child or slave to hold as his own

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Etymology

Origin of peculium

C17: from Latin; see _peculiar

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

peculium

To the ambitious slave any addition, however small, to his growing peculium, which might enable him to buy his freedom, would certainly be grateful.

From Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius by Samuel Dill

The slave, especially if he had any special gift, or if he occupied a prominent position in the household, had many chances of adding to his peculium.

From Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius by Samuel Dill

Of the mode of ascertaining the amount of a peculium we will speak in its proper place.

From The Institutes of Justinian by John Baron Moyle

The golden chain reaches from squire to Boniface, and still lower in the social scale, wherever some snug little peculium is found to nestle.

From The Contemporary Review, January 1883 Vol 43, No. 1 by Various

The "peculium" is, of course, elastic, and there is no particular place for drawing the line in the banker's book.

From Punch - Volume 25 (Jul-Dec 1853) by Various