eleemosynary

[ el-uh-mos-uh-ner-ee, -moz-, el-ee-uh- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to alms, charity, or charitable donations; charitable.
2. derived from or provided by charity.
3. dependent on or supported by charity:

   an eleemosynary educational institution.

eleemosynary

/ ˌɛlɪiːˈmɒsɪnərɪ /

adjective

1. of, concerned with, or dependent on charity
2. given as an act of charity

Other Words From

• nonel·ee·mosy·nary adjective
• unel·ee·mosy·nary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eleemosynary¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Medieval Latin eleēmosynārius, equivalent to Late Latin eleēmosyn(a) ( alms ) + Latin -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of eleemosynary¹

C17: from Church Latin eleēmosyna alms

Example Sentences

A moment of levity came as Justice Mechan decided they would strike the convoluted word "eleemosynary" - used here as legalese for charitable - from the instructions.

From BBC

It’s fair to presume that one purpose of all this eleemosynary activity is to obscure the less uplifting ways that the rich deploy their wealth.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, the eleemosynary impulse is alive and well — not just surviving but booming despite the pandemic and polarization.

From Washington Post

The 10-year-old went on to win the title after correctly spelling the word "eleemosynary" meaning charitable.

From BBC

The truth is, Mr. Trump’s exaggerated eleemosynary claims match his long history of embroideries, overstatements and wildly inflated assertions of prowess in other endeavors.

From Washington Post