Webster's English Dictionary

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subsidy

sub.si.dy \'s*b-s*d-e-, -z*d-\ n [ME, fr. L subsidium reserve troops, 
   support, assistance, fr. sub-]near + sede-re to sit - more at SUB- : a 
   grant or gift of money : as  : a sum of money formerly granted by the 
   British Parliament to the crown  and raised by special taxation : money 
   granted by one state to another  : a grant by a government to a private 
   person or company to assist an ent erprise deemed advantageous to the 
   public