eleemosynary
/ˌɛl.ɪ.iːˈmɒ.sɪ.nə.ɹi/
eleemosynary means relating to charity, alms, or almsgiving. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 78 out of 100.
eleemosynary is pronounced /ˌɛl.ɪ.iːˈmɒ.sɪ.nə.ɹi/.
Why “eleemosynary” is a great word
ELEEMOSYNARY — [Adjective] Relating to, derived from, or dependent on charity or almsgiving. From Medieval Latin eleēmosynārius ("alms dispenser"), from Late Latin eleēmosyna ("alms"), from Ancient Greek ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosúnē, "alms"), from ἐλεήμων (eleḗmōn, "merciful") + -σῠ́νη (-súnē, suffix forming abstract nouns). First attested in English in the 1610s. Unlike "philanthropic," which suggests active, systematic goodwill, or "munificent," which celebrates the lavish giver, eleemosynary dwells in the realm of the recipient, describing the quiet, institutional state of being sustained by alms. It is the worn stone step of a charity school, the thin broth in the institution's kettle, and the faded ledger recording a bequest—a word that speaks not of the hand that gives, but of the cold, enduring foundation built upon its gifts.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin eleēmosynārius (“alms dispenser”), from Late Latin eleēmosyna (“alms”), from Ancient Greek ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosúnē, “alms”), from ἐλεήμων (eleḗmōn, “merciful”) + -σῠ́νη (-sŭ́nē, “suffix denoting an abstract noun”). Compare Italian elemosina.
adj
- Relating to charity, alms, or almsgiving.“I am bound to say he didn't criticise his benefactors, though practically he got tired of them; she, however, had the highest standards about eleemosynary forms.”
- Given in charity or alms; having the nature of alms“An author ought to consider himself, not as a gentleman who gives a private or eleemosynary treat, but rather as one who keeps a public ordinary, at which all persons are welcome for their money.”
- Supported by charity“... it is also true that the policy of nations, or the bounty of individuals, formerly did much to counteract the effect of this limitation of competition, by offering eleemosynary instruction to a much larger class of persons than could have obtained the same advantages by paying their price.”