SUBSIDY • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Subsidy

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/sˈəbsɪdi/ Listen

noun

Subsidy n. (pl. subsidies)

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." Note: 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.

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.

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.

Synonyms: Tribute; grant. Subsidy, Tribute. A subsidy is voluntary; a tribute is exacted.

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Etymology of 'Subsidy'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Subsidy" Quotes from Famous Books

... first place, we are all well nigh ruined by the exactions of the Spanish; and in the next, however well disposed we may be, there are few who would commit themselves by subscribing for the cause until the revolt is general and successful. Then, I doubt not, that the councillors would vote as large a subsidy as the city could afford to pay. Four at least of the members of the council of our guild can be thoroughly relied upon, and the prince can safely communicate with them. These are ...

— By Pike and Dyke: A Tale of the Rise of the Dutch Republic • G.A. Henty

... the plan of a Great Council simmering already; and if they get it, the man who sings sacred Lauds the loudest will be the most eligible for office. And besides that, the city will be so drained by the payment of this great subsidy to the French king, and by the war to get back Pisa, that the prospect would be dismal enough without the rule of fanatics. On the whole, Florence will be a delightful place for those worthies who entertain themselves ...

— Romola • George Eliot

... proscribed, and all their chiefs banished or put to death. Let us again recur to dates.(3) Sir Thomas More was born in 1480: he was appointed under-sheriff in 1508, and three years before had offended Henry the Seventh in the tender point of opposing a subsidy. Buck, the apologist of Richard the Third, ascribes the authorities of Sir Thomas to the information of archbishop Morton; and it is true that he had been brought up under that prelate; but Morton died in 1500, ...

— Historic Doubts on the Life and Reign of King Richard the Third • Horace Walpole

... carrying trade exists, and to correct it I would be willing to see a great departure from the usual course of Government in supporting what might usually be termed private enterprise. I would not suggest as a remedy direct subsidy to American steamship lines, but I would suggest the direct offer of ample compensation for carrying the mails between Atlantic Seaboard cities and the Continent on American-owned and American-built steamers, and would extend this liberality to vessels carrying the mails to South American States ...

— Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to the Present • Various

... vote extended to everyone. The man on subsidy or public dole could vote to demand more. The man who read of nothing beyond sex crimes could vote on the great political issues of the world. No ability was needed for his vote. In fact, he was assured that voting alone was enough to make him a fine and ...

— Badge of Infamy • Lester del Rey

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