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alimony

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Alimony is money paid to either a husband or wife after a divorce by court order in order to allow the recipient to maintain the lifestyle they had during the marriage. (noun)

An example of alimony is when a couple divorces and the court orders the ex- husband to send a check to his ex-wife each month.

See alimony in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Obsolete supply of the means of living; maintenance
an allowance that a court orders paid to a person by that person's spouse or former spouse after a legal separation or divorce or while legal action on this is pending

See alimony in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(ălˈə-mōˌnē)

noun pl. al·i·mo·nies

Law An allowance for support made under court order to a divorced person by the former spouse, usually the chief provider during the marriage. Alimony may also be granted without a divorce, as between legally separated persons.
A means of livelihood; maintenance.

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