sportula

noun spor·tu·la \ ˈspȯ(r)chələ \

Definition of sportula

plural sportulae \-chəˌlē\ also sportulas

: a gift (as of food or money) usually from an ancient Roman to one of his clients and often at regular intervals or on prescribed occasions

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Origin and Etymology of sportula

Latin, literally, little basket, diminutive of sporta basket, from (assumed) Etruscan spurta, from Greek spurid-, spuris; akin to Greek sparton plaited rope, esparto (spiral)