pecuniary

[pi-kyoo-nee-er-ee]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pecuniary ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of or relating to money: pecuniary difficulties.

consisting of or given or exacted in money or monetary payments: pecuniary tributes.

(of a crime, violation, etc.) involving a money penalty or fine.

Origin of pecuniary

1495–1505; < Latin pecūniārius, derivative of pecūnia property, money (pecūn-, derivative of pecū flock (see peculiar), with -ūn- as in tribūna tribune¹, fortūna fortune, etc. + -ia -ia); see -ary

Related formspe·cu·ni·ar·i·ly

[pi-kyoo-nee-air-i-lee] /pɪˌkyu niˈɛər ɪ li/, adverbnon·pe·cu·ni·ar·y, adjective

Synonyms for pecuniary

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pecuniary ON THESAURUS.COM

1, 2. See financial.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pecuniary

Yet according to Hamilton, “it was quickly apparent that other than pecuniary consolation would be acceptable.”
Should the U.S. Really Pay a Kim’s Ransom?|Kevin Bleyer|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many Democrats have found the pecuniary power of Republican Super PACS highly intimidating.
DIY Swift-Boating: Alexandra Kerry Launches Ad Your Voice 2012|Judith Grey|October 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Forced labour also was exacted, and artisans and tradesmen were subjected to pecuniary levies.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 2|Various
People are now more independent of each other, and service has become a pecuniary and not a sentimental question.
Reminiscences of Scottish Life and Character|Edward Bannerman Ramsay

In public employment from early life and during the greatest part of his life, no pecuniary benefit had resulted to him.
Thirty Years' View (Vol. II of 2)|Thomas Hart Benton
A pecuniary compensation is in the power of opulent families.
Practical Education, Volume II|Maria Edgeworth
If he would only stay away and do that, I would appease his wrath when we were alone together with pecuniary satisfaction.
The O'Conors of Castle Conor|Anthony Trollope

British Dictionary definitions for pecuniary

pecuniary

adjective

consisting of or relating to money

law (of an offence) involving a monetary penalty

Derived Formspecuniarily, adverb

Word Origin for pecuniary

C16: from Latin pecūniāris, from pecūnia money

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for pecuniary

adj.

c.1500, from Latin pecuniarius "pertaining to money," from pecunia "money, property, wealth," from pecu "cattle, flock," from PIE root *peku- "wealth, movable property, livestock" (cf. Sanskrit pasu- "cattle," Gothic faihu "money, fortune," Old English feoh "cattle, money").

Livestock was the measure of wealth in the ancient world. For a possible parallel sense development in Old English, see fee, and cf., evolving in the other direction, cattle. Cf. also Welsh tlws "jewel," cognate with Irish tlus "cattle," connected via notion of "valuable thing."

pecuniary

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Origin of pecuniary

Synonyms for pecuniary

Examples from the Web for pecuniary

pecuniary

adjective

Word Origin for pecuniary