Aliments

n. food, something that nourishes; support, encouragement

Noun
1. a source of materials to nourish the body
(synonym) nutriment, nourishment, nutrition, sustenance, alimentation, victuals
(hypernym) food, nutrient
(hyponym) milk
(derivation) nutrify, nourish
Verb
1. give nourishment to
(synonym) nutrify, nourish
(hypernym) feed, give
(derivation) nutriment, nourishment, nutrition, sustenance, alimentation, victuals

n. alimony, allowance paid to a former spouse (often by legal agreement)

n. foodstuffs, viands; nourishment, nutrition

n. aliment, food; meat

In the Roman and French law this word signifies the food and other things necessary to the support of life, as clothing and the like. The same name is given to the money allowed for aliments.

By the common law, parents and children reciprocally owe each other aliments or maintenance. In the common law, the word alimony is used.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.