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

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1, 2. See financial.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for pecuniary

monetary, banking, business, economic, fiscal, budgeting

Examples from the Web for pecuniary

Contemporary Examples of 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
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

Historical Examples of pecuniary

I assure you, my dear Sir, that you truly hurt me with your pecuniary parcel.
The Letters of Robert Burns
Robert Burns
The corporation for pecuniary gain has neither body nor soul.
The Railroad Question
William Larrabee
Its only aim is pecuniary gain, to which it subordinates all else.
The Railroad Question
William Larrabee
It had better not be based on pecuniary obligations; these more often mar than make a friendship.
Lysis
Plato
I suppose you know his pecuniary condition perfectly; has he money?
Dr. Sevier
George W. Cable

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."