endow

[ en-dou ]

verb (used with object)

1. to provide with a permanent fund or source of income:

   to endow a college.

2. to furnish, as with some talent, faculty, or quality; equip:

   Nature has endowed her with great ability.

   Synonyms: endue, clothe, invest

3. Obsolete. to provide with a dower.

verb (used without object)

1. (of a life-insurance policy) to become payable; yield its conditions.

endow

/ ɪnˈdaʊ /

verb

1. to provide with or bequeath a source of permanent income
2. usually foll by with to provide (with qualities, characteristics, etc)
3. obsolete.
   to provide with a dower

Derived Forms

• enˈdower, noun

Other Words From

• en·dow·er noun
• re·en·dow verb (used with object)
• su·per·en·dow verb (used with object)
• un·en·dow·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of endow¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English endowen, from Old French endouer, equivalent to en- en- ¹ + douer, from Latin dōtāre “to dower,” equivalent to dōt- (stem of dōs ) “dowry” + -āre infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of endow¹

C14: from Old French endouer, from en- ¹+ douer , from Latin dōtāre, from dōs dowry

Example Sentences

For breeders to make use of that diversity, however, they need to know which landraces could endow wheat with potentially desirable traits.

From Science Magazine

According to the academy, support for the Academy100 campaign will fund and endow a variety of programs aimed at recognizing excellence in cinematic artistry, preserving film history, training and educating young filmmakers and facilitating the creation of film exhibitions, screenings and publications.

From Los Angeles Times

The academy said in its news release that the money raised “will endow and fund programs that recognize excellence in cinematic artistry and innovation; preserve our film history; enable the creation of world-class film exhibitions, screenings and publications; train and educate the next generation of diverse global film artists; and produce powerful digital content.”

From New York Times

Many people know fish sauce from Asian cuisines, where it is used to endow dishes with umami.

From Science Daily

Those two facts should endow any caring individual with a critical skepticism of the wisdom, or unwisdom, of America’s founders in establishing the Electoral College in the first place.

From Salon

Related Words

• bestow
• donate
• empower
• enable
• enhance
• enrich
• subsidize