viaticum

[ vahy-at-i-kuhm, vee- ]

noun

, plural vi·at·i·ca [vahy-, at, -i-k, uh, vee-], vi·at·i·cums.

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.

viaticum

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of viaticum¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of viaticum¹

C16: from Latin, from viāticus belonging to a journey, from viāre to travel, from via way

Example Sentences

The 2005 record “Viaticum” charted on the German and French pop charts, and went platinum in Sweden, where it debuted at No. 5, just above U2 and John Legend.

From New York Times

For dozens of worshippers at the St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, south-western Nigeria, the Lord's prayer turned into a viaticum - the final prayer.

From BBC

“For Free France, this was a supreme example that she would take with her like a viaticum wherever her epic led her.”

From Washington Post

For a presumed heretic he made a good end, surrounded by Dominicans and Franciscans, confessing his sins and receiving the viaticum, so that, as a pious chronicler observes, we may humbly believe that his soul was saved.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus it was not a simple viaticum for protection during the journey from Bohemia, and it was not so regarded by any one.

From Project Gutenberg