civil list
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A sum of money voted by the British Parliament each year for the expenses of the British royal family: The "civil list" is an annual grant approved by Parliament to cover the official costs of the sovereign and their household.
Usage
- The term is used specifically in the context of British constitutional finance and monarchy.
- It refers to the public funds allocated for the monarch's official duties, staff salaries, and the upkeep of royal residences used for state functions.
Examples
- Noun:
- The civil list was reformed in 2012, being replaced by the Sovereign Grant.
- Parliament must approve the amount of the civil list each year.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Context: The term "civil list" historically distinguished the sovereign's personal and household expenses from other state expenditures, like military costs (the "military list").
- Modern Equivalent: Since 2012, the "civil list" has been largely superseded by the "Sovereign Grant," a new system of funding the monarchy, though the term is still used in historical and constitutional discussions.
Variants and Related Words
- Sovereign Grant (n): The current system of public funding for the British monarchy, which replaced the civil list for core funding.
- Civil List Pension (n): A separate, historical pension awarded from the civil list funds for services to the crown or the state, often to artists, scientists, or public servants.
Synonyms
- Royal grant: A general term for money granted for royal expenses.
- Parliamentary annuity: An annual payment authorized by Parliament.
Related Phrases
- To be on the civil list: A historical phrase meaning to receive a pension from these funds.
- The distinguished poet was placed on the civil list for his contributions to literature.
Noun
- a sum of money voted by British Parliament each year for the expenses of the British royal family