viaticum

American  

[vahy-at-i-kuhm, vee-] / vaɪˈæt ɪ kəm, vi- /

noun

viatica, plural viaticums plural

1. Ecclesiastical. the Eucharist or Communion as given to a person dying or in danger of death.

2. (among the ancient Romans) a provision or allowance for traveling, originally of transportation and supplies, later of money, made to officials on public missions.

3. money or necessities for any journey.

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viaticum British  

/ vaɪˈætɪkəm /

noun

1. Christianity Holy Communion as administered to a person dying or in danger of death

2. rare provisions or a travel allowance for a journey

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• viaticums
  plural
• viatica
  plural

Etymology

Origin of viaticum

1555–65; < Latin viāticum, neuter of viāticus, equivalent to viāt ( us ) (past participle of viāre to travel; see via, -ate ¹) + -icus -ic; cf. voyage

Example Sentences

The voice of the poet deepens steadily right up to his viaticum, delivered to the world at war: We live in a camp.

From Time Magazine Archive

He is carrying the viaticum, or sacrament, to some dying person.

From The Dance of Death Exhibited in Elegant Engravings on Wood with a Dissertation on the Several Representations of that Subject but More Particularly on Those Ascribed to Macaber and Hans Holbein by Douce, Francis

As for the judgment of our own divines, Calviniani, saith Balduine,440 morem illum quo eucharastia ad aegrotos tanquam viaticum defertur improbant, eamque non nisi in coetibus publicis usurpendam censent.

From The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2) by Gillespie, George

"How light a viaticum for so long a journey!" exclaimed a voice.

From The Carlovingian Coins Or The Daughters of Charlemagne. A Tale of the Ninth Century by Sue, Eugène

Mattress and all, he was borne into the sick-room, where he administered the viaticum to the dying woman.

From Seeds of Pine by Canuck, Janey