peculium en · NOUN
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin peculium. See peculiar.
Meanings
- (historical) The savings of a son or a slave, with the father's or master's consent; a little property or stock of one's own.
-
A special fund for private and personal uses.
Still, however, he gained something, and it was the glory of his heart to carry it to Mr MacMorlan weekly, a slight peculium only subtracted, to supply his snuff-box and tobacco-pouch.
1815 February 24, [Walter Scott], Guy Mannering; or, The Astrologer. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, […]; and Archibald Constable and Co., […], →OCLC:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| peculia | Number=Plur | lexicographic |