Definition

1. Verb:
   • To provide with a permanent source of income or financial support, typically by donating a large sum of money to an institution.
   • To provide or equip with a quality, ability, or asset, often in a natural or inherent way.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (Provide financial support):

  • The wealthy alumnus decided to endow a new scholarship fund for engineering students.
  • The museum was endowed by a generous philanthropist, ensuring its operation for years to come.

• Verb (Provide with a quality or ability):

  • She is endowed with a remarkable talent for languages.
  • Nature has endowed this region with spectacular natural beauty.

Advanced Usage

• "to endow with": This is the standard construction for both meanings.

  • The foundation was endowed with a large sum of money. (Financial)
  • He is endowed with great patience. (Quality/Ability)

• "well-endowed": Often used to describe an institution with substantial financial resources or, informally, a person with ample physical attributes.

  • The university is a well-endowed institution. (Financial resources)
  • (Informal) The statue was well-endowed. (Physical form)

Variants and Related Words

• Endowment (n): The act of endowing; the funds or property donated to an institution; a natural quality or ability.

  • The university's endowment grew significantly. (Funds)
  • Her artistic endowment was evident from a young age. (Natural ability)

• Endowed (adj): Having been provided with something, especially a quality or financial support.

  • The endowed professorship attracts top scholars. (Financially supported position)
  • He is naturally endowed with a strong voice. (Possessing a quality)

Synonyms

• Bestow: To confer or present (an honor, right, or gift). Often used for qualities or abstract things.
• Grant: To agree to give or allow (something requested) to. Common in financial or legal contexts.
• Furnish: To provide or supply. More general.
• Bless (with): To endow or favor (with a particular ability or attribute). Often implies a positive gift.

Phrasal Verbs / Common Constructions

• Endow [someone/something] with [something]: The primary grammatical structure.
  • The program endows students with critical thinking skills.
  • They endowed the hospital with a new research wing.

Related Idioms

• To be endowed by nature: To possess natural gifts or advantages.
  • As a singer, she was richly endowed by nature.

Verb

1. furnish with an endowment
   • When she got married, she got dowered
2. give qualities or abilities to