alimony Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun court-ordered support paid by one spouse to another after they are separated
    maintenance.

WordNet

Al"i*mo*ny noun
Etymology
L. alimonia, alimonium, nourishment, sustenance, fr. alere to nourish.
Definitions
  1. Maintenance; means of living.
  2. (Law) An allowance made to a wife out of her husband's estate or income for her support, upon her divorce or legal separation from him, or during a suit for the same. Wharton. Burrill.

Webster 1913