ELEEMOSYNARY

[Dr. Goodword]

• eleemosynary •

Pronunciation: e-lê-mah-sê-ne-ree • Hear it!

Part of Speech: Adjective

Meaning: 1. Based on charitable contributions, having to do with charity. 2. Altruistic, contributed as charity without expectation of compensation.

Notes: Eleemosynary is an isolated adjective with no corresponding noun or verb. Someone did attempt to launch eleemosynate "to give alms" in the 17th century. That word, however, lived a short, uneventful life. Altruistic and today's word are close in meaning but, while altruistic focuses on doing charitable work freely, eleemosynary implies the transfer of money for charitable work.

In Play: Giving for charitable work may be eleemosynary but so can receiving donations: "Joy works for an eleemosynary organization that provides housing for the homeless." Do you need a raise? You might try a suggestion like this: "Although I am devoted to this organization, my work is not intended as an eleemosynary contribution." (If you say "charitable", they won't look up from the desk.)

Word History: Today's Good Word is a world-class lexical traveler. It began its journey as Medieval Latin eleemosynarius "alms", which by Late Latin had been reduced to eleemosyna. This six-syllable word entered Old English, where it was reduced to ælmesse, which was ultimately whittled down to the single syllable, alms! By this time the relationship to eleemosynary was unrecognizable, so we borrowed this word again directly from Latin—the old two-for-the-price-of-one trick practiced so often by English. The Latin word was borrowed from Greek eleemosyne "pity, charity", from eleemon "pitiful", the adjective of eleos "pity".

[Slava]

This quickly became one of my favorite words, once I learned it. It's fascinating how eleemosynary and alms are essentially the same word, not just in meaning, but root-wise, too.

[Audiendus]

It began its journey as Medieval Latin eleemosynarius "alms"

There is a Classical Latin word almus (kind, nourishing, bountiful). Is this etymologically related to the English word "alms", or is the similarity just a coincidence?

[saparris]

There is a Classical Latin word almus (kind, nourishing, bountiful). Is this etymologically related to the English word "alms", or is the similarity just a coincidence?

According to etymology.com, almus comes from L. alere (to nourish), from which we get words like alma (Spanish for soul) and alumnus.

Since alms is limosna (Sp) and elemosina (It), I think the alms/alma similarity is probably a coincidence, particularly since alms is more closely tied to the prefix eleos in eleemosynary than the rest of the word.

[LukeJavan8]

Why anyone would use eleemosynary instead of alms is
beyond me.
It's like 'uncomfortability' instead of discomfort.
A bit of verbal snobbery.

[saparris]

Why anyone would use eleemosynary instead of alms is beyond me.

Some eleemosynary organization call themselves "charitable." They don't give alms, but they receive charitable donations.

[LukeJavan8]

Most of which goes to staff and administration, little to
the raison-d'etre for the organizations' existence.

[Slava]

Why anyone would use eleemosynary instead of alms is beyond me.
It's like 'uncomfortability' instead of discomfort.
A bit of verbal snobbery.

No one is telling you you have to use it, but it's a perfectly valid word and it can't hurt to know it. Especially if you feel like being a snob at times.

[LukeJavan8]

never feel like being a snob, thanks.

[saparris]

never feel like being a snob, thanks

.

Depends. If you buy only one brand of peanut butter, you might be considered a peanut butter snob.

[LukeJavan8]

Eat gobs of peanut-butter, but it is whatever is on sale.
Even changed internet sign-up people, snobbery is
is only for the arrogant.