ENDOWMENT

endowment

(noun) the act of endowing with a permanent source of income; “his generous endowment of the laboratory came just in the nick of time”

endowment, gift, talent, natural endowment

(noun) natural abilities or qualities

endowment, endowment fund

(noun) the capital that provides income for an institution

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

endowment (plural endowments)

Something with which a person or thing is endowed.

Property or funds invested for the support and benefit of a person or not-for-profit institution.

(insurance) Endowment assurance or pure endowment.

Synonyms

• (something with which a person or thing is endowed): gift

Source: Wiktionary

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En*dow"ment, n.

1. The act of bestowing a dower, fund, or permanent provision for support.

2. That which is bestowed or settled on a person or an institution; property, fund, or revenue permanently appropriated to any object; as, the endowment of a church, a hospital, or a college.

3. That which is given or bestowed upon the person or mind; gift of nature; accomplishment; natural capacity; talents; -- usually in the plural. His early endowments had fitted him for the work he was to do. I. Taylor.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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