viaticum
- noun
- /vaɪˈætɪkəm/
- Archaic
- The pilgrims prepared their viaticum carefully, ensuring they had enough supplies for the long journey ahead.
Examples
-
He received a small amount of viaticum from his parents to support him while studying abroad.
-
Michael Solomon has characterized the Compendio as a type of "Viaticum," a portable, readily accessible handbook for travelers.
Academic text (1998) -
Before embarking on her hiking adventure, she packed enough viaticum to sustain her during the trip.
Synonyms
Help given to people or places in need
Money given to help a person or project
Help given to people in a difficult or dangerous time
A supply of food and other needed things for a trip
Food and drink kept or prepared to eat
How Much
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word viaticum comes from the Latin via, meaning 'road' or 'way', and originally meant the money, food, or other 'provisions' you take on a journey. So today a viaticum can mean the help or supplies given to someone before they set out on a trip or when they face a hard time.