eleemosynary

[el-uh-mos-uh-ner-ee, -moz-, el-ee-uh-] /ˌɛl əˈmɒs əˌnɛr i, -ˈmɒz-, ˌɛl i ə-/
adjective
1.
of or pertaining 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.
Origin
1610-20; < Medieval Latin eleēmosynārius, equivalent to Late Latin eleēmosyn(a) (see alms) + Latin -ārius -ary
Related forms
noneleemosynary, adjective
uneleemosynary, adjective
Can be confused
eleemosynary, elementary (see synonym study at elementary)
Examples from the web for eleemosynary
  • Your question appears to arise out of some implied eleemosynary desire to lower the burdens of the government.
  • There are less eleemosynary reasons to chance a private loan.
British Dictionary definitions for eleemosynary

eleemosynary

/ˌɛlɪiːˈmɒsɪnərɪ/
adjective
1.
of, concerned with, or dependent on charity
2.
given as an act of charity
Word Origin
C17: from Church Latin eleēmosynaalms
Contemporary definitions for eleemosynary
adjective

charitable; generous to the poor

Word Origin

Latin eleemosyna 'alms'

adjective

dependent on charity

Word Origin

Latin eleemosyna 'alms'

Word Origin and History for eleemosynary
adj.

1610s, from Medieval Latin eleemosynarius "pertaining to alms," from Late Latin eleemosyna "alms," from Greek eleemosyne "pity" (see alms).