Bankrolls

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. Supplies the money needed to finance or support a project, venture, or person ; the sum of money available to someone for spending or investment
2. Funds or finances an undertaking by providing the necessary capital ; the amount of money someone has available to use
3. Finances an enterprise or activity by putting up the required money ; a stock of money available for a particular purpose or person

Etymology: "Bankrolls" is the plural form of "bankroll," so the origin lies in the noun it modifies. That noun is a compound of "bank" and "roll." The "roll" element refers to a rolled-up bundle of banknotes or coins, the sense of a wad of money being tightly wound into a cylinder, while "bank" supplies the idea of a reserve of money held in hand. Put together, a bankroll is a sum of cash set aside for spending or gambling, the funds someone is prepared to put at risk. Only the plural's meaning is worth a further note: "bankrolls" refers to several such reserves, or to the sums that financiers, gamblers or sponsors put up. Its own history is simply that of the noun, and the compound itself is a transparent combination of two plain English words rather than a borrowing.

Synonyms: finance, fund, sponsor