En*dow"ment (?), n.
1. The act
of bestowing a dower, fund, or permanent provision for support.
2. That which is
bestowed or settled on a person or an institution; property, fund, or revenue permanently appropriated to
any object; as, the endowment of a church, a hospital, or a college.
3. That which is given or bestowed upon the person or mind; gift of
nature; accomplishment; natural capacity; talents;
-- usually in the plural.
His early endowments had fitted him for the work
he was to do.
I. Taylor.
Hear it pronounced