SUBSIDY

[sub.si.dy] n, pl -dies [ME, fr. L subsidium reserve troops, support, assistance, fr. sub- near + sedere to sit--more at sub-, sit] (14c): a grant or gift of money: as a: a sum of money formerly granted by the British Parliament to the crown and raised by special taxation b: money granted by one state to another c: a grant by a government to a private person or company to assist an enterprise deemed advantageous to the public