Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
ALIMENT, n. “The maintenance or support which certain persons are legally entitled to claim from others on account of their connection with them by kinship or marriage” (Green's Encycl. Law of Scot. I. 1909). The corresponding St.Eng. term is alimony.Sc. 1881 Fifeshire Jnl. (15 Jan.) 5/5 (N.E.D.):
Inspector of Poor sued James Baxter for the board of his father in the Poorhouse. . . . Decree was given for aliment at the rate of 2s. 6d. a week.Ayr. 1823 Galt Entail I. xix.:
The deil a penny would the silly gouk get frae me, aboon an aliment to keep him frae beggary.
