Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Subsidy
Sub′si-dy
,Noun.
pl.
Subsidies
(#)
. [L.
subsidium
the troops stationed in reserve in the third line of battlem reserve, support, help, fr. subsidere
to sit down, lie in wait: cf. F. subside
. See Subside
.] 1.
Support; aid; cooperation; esp., extraordinary aid in money rendered to the sovereign or to a friendly power.
They advised the king to send speedy aids, and with much alacrity granted a great rate of
subsidy
. Bacon.
☞ Subsidies were taxes, not immediately on on property, but on persons in respect of their reputed estates, after the nominal rate of 4s. the pound for lands, and 2s. 8d. for goods.
Blackstone.
2.
Specifically: A sum of money paid by one sovereign or nation to another to purchase the cooperation or the neutrality of such sovereign or nation in war.
3.
A grant from the government, from a municipal corporation, or the like, to a private person or company to assist the establishment or support of an enterprise deemed advantageous to the public; a subvention;
as, a
. subsidy
to the owners of a line of ocean steamships
Syn. – Tribute; grant.
–
Webster 1828 Edition
Subsidy
SUB'SIDY
,Noun.
1.
Aid in money; supply given; a tax;something furnished for aid, as by the people to their prince; as the subsidies granted formerly to the kings of England. Subsidies were a tax, not immediately on property,but on persons in respect of their reputed estates, after the nominal rate of 4s. the pound for lands, and 2s. 8d. for goods.
2.
A sum of money paid by one prince or nation to another, to purchase the service of auxiliary troops, or the aid of such foreign prince in a war against an enemy. Thus Great Britain paid subsidies to Austria and Prussia, to engage them to resist the progress of the French.