n.
Pronunciation: ' s ə b-s ə -d ē , -z ə -
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -dies
Etymology: Middle English subsidie, from Anglo-French, from Latin subsidium reserve troops, support, assistance, from sub- near + sed ē re to sit ― more at SUB- , SIT
Date: 14th century
: 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