| endow | 1. To furnish with money or its equivalent, as a permanent fund for support; to make pecuniary provision for; to settle an income upon; especially, to furnish with dower; as, to endow a wife; to endow a public institution. "Endowing hospitals and almshouses." (Bp. Stillingfleet) 2. To enrich or furnish with anything of the nature of a gift (as a quality or faculty); followed by with, rarely by of; as, man is endowed by his Maker with reason; to endow with privileges or benefits. Origin: OF. Endouer; pref. En- (L. In) + F. Douer to endow, L. Dotare. See Dower, and cf. 2d Endue. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| endowment | 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: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |