Sŭb'si-dy, n.

n. [Lat. subsidium, originally the troops stationed in reserve in the third line of battle, from subsidere, to sit down; Fr. subside, Pr. subsidi, Sp. & Pg. subsidio, It. sussidio. See SUBSIDE.]

1Sense 1. Support; aid; co-operation; especially, extraordinary aid in money rendered to a sovereign, or to a friendly power.

They advised the king to send speedy aid, and with much alacrity granted a great rate of subsidy. Bacon.

☞ Subsidies were taxes, not immediately on property, but on persons in respect of their reputed estates, after the nominal rate of 4s. the pound for lands, and 2s. 8d. for goods. Blackstone.

2Sense 2. Specifically, a sum of money paid by one prince or nation to another, to purchase the service of auxiliary troops, or the aid of such foreign prince in a war against an enemy.

Synonyms— Tribute. — SUBSIDY, TRIBUTE. A subsidy is voluntary; a tribute is exacted. A subsidy is paid to an ally for his services; a tribute is given in acknowledgment of dependence or subjection. England gave subsidies to most of the German powers for carrying on the war against Bonaparte; tribute was paid to the Roman republic by most of the nations of the earth.

'Tis all the subsidy the present age can raise. Dryden.

To acknowledge this, was all he did exact; Small tribute, where the will to pay was act. Dryden.