Subsidise

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To assist financially in order to lower operating costs or to promote sustainability of various activities or services
2. To offer monetary contributions intended to ease financial burdens or to ensure the continuation of certain projects or businesses
3. To provide financial support aimed at reducing costs or encouraging the viability of specific initiatives or operations

Etymology: The earliest sense was military. The Latin "subsidium" meant troops kept in reserve behind the front line, ready to reinforce soldiers in trouble. It came from "subsidere," to sit down, settle, or remain behind, combining "sub-" (under) with "sidere," to sit. The reserve was, literally, the force that stayed seated until it was needed. The sense then moved from troops to supplies and eventually to money. English writers used the noun for many kinds of aid, including taxes that Parliament granted to the Crown, and that is where the financial meaning took hold. The verb was formed later from this noun, so it carries the same idea of help arriving from behind to prop something up.

Synonyms: support, finance, back

Antonyms: withdraw, abandon