Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EL-EE-MOS'Y-NA-RY, a. [Gr. ελεημοσυνη, alms, from ελεεω, to pity, ελεος, compassion; W. elus. charitable; elusen, alms, benevolence. See Alms. It would be well to omit one e in this word.]

1. Given in charity; given or appropriated to support the poor; as, eleemosynary rents or taxes. Encyc.
2. Relating to charitable donations; intended for the distribution of alms, or for the use and management of donations, whether for the subsistence of the poor or for the support and promotion of learning; as, an eleemosynary corporation. A hospital founded by charity is an eleemosynary institution for the support of the poor, sick and Imp-; tent; a college founded by donations is an eleemosynary institution for the promotion of learning. The corporation intrusted with the care of such institutions is eleemosynary.