ə̇nˈdau̇, en- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English endowen, from Anglo-French endouer, from Middle French en- en- (I) + douer to endow, from Latin dotare, from dot-, dos gift, dower — more at dower
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to furnish with a dower
2. : to furnish (as an institution) with an income
a millionaire who endowed several hospitals
3.
a. : to provide or equip gratuitously — usually used with with
nature endowed him with good eyesight
b. : enrich , heighten , enhance — usually used with with
Shakespeare took these words … and endowed them with new significance — C.S.Kilby
c. : to consider usually favorably as the possessor of a quality : credit 5a — usually used with with
during the 19th century the ether was endowed with some very remarkable properties — W.V.Houston
intransitive verb
of an insurance policy : to mature or become payable