Aliment

aliment
    n 1: a source of materials to nourish the body [syn:
         {nutriment}, {nourishment}, {nutrition}, {sustenance},
         {aliment}, {alimentation}, {victuals}]
    v 1: give nourishment to [syn: {nutrify}, {aliment}, {nourish}]
    

Aliment \Al"i*ment\, v. t.
   1. To nourish; to support.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To provide for the maintenance of. [Scot.]
      [1913 Webster]
    

Aliment \Al"i*ment\, n. [L. alimentum, fr. alere to nourish;
   akin to Goth. alan to grow, Icel. ala to nourish: cf. F.
   aliment. See {Old}.]
   1. That which nourishes; food; nutriment; anything which
      feeds or adds to a substance in natural growth. Hence: The
      necessaries of life generally: sustenance; means of
      support.
      [1913 Webster]

            Aliments of their sloth and weakness. --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. An allowance for maintenance. [Scot.]
      [1913 Webster]
    

ALIMENTS. In the Roman and French law this word signifies the food and other
things necessary to the support of life, as clothing and the like. The same
name is given to the money allowed for aliments. Dig. 50, 16, 43.
     2. By the common law, parents and children reciprocally owe each other
aliments or maintenance. (q.v.) Vide 1 Bl. Com. 447; Merl. Rep. h.t.; Dig.
25, 3, 5. In the common law, the word alimony (q.v.) is used. Vide Allowance
to a Prisoner.