WELFARE

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from the phrase wel faren to fare well Date: 14th century the state of doing well especially in respect to good fortune, happiness, well-being, or prosperity , 2. aid in the form of money or necessities for those in need, an agency or program through which such aid is distributed, II. adjective Date: 1903 of, relating to, or concerned with ~ and especially with improvement of the ~ of disadvantaged social groups , receiving public ~ benefits