Word of the Day

: May 30, 2009

subvention

noun sub-VEN-shun

What It Means

a : the provision of assistance or financial support: as

b : endowment

c : a subsidy from a government or foundation

subvention in Context

The earliest documented subvention for the museum was a grant from the federal government in 1853.

Did You Know?

A subvention is a form of assistance, so it should come as no surprise to learn that the term "subvention" can be traced back to the Late Latin noun "subventio," meaning "assistance." "Subventio" in turn derives from Latin "subvenire," meaning "to come up" or "to come to the rescue." (Another descendant of "subvenire" in English is the more common word "souvenir.") "Subvention" also functions as a verb meaning "to provide with a subvention." The verb "subvention" is a very uncommon word, and it has an equally uncommon synonym, "subvent." The latter was likely coined by speakers unaware that the verb "subvention" already existed.