ALIMONY, Alimonia, in Law, anciently signified Nourishment, or Maintenance; but in a more modern Sense, denotes that Portion, or Allowance which a married Woman sues for, upon any occasional Separation from her Husband, wherein she is not charged with Elopement or Adultery. See WIFE, DOWER, etc. This was anciently called Rationale Effoverium, Reasonable Maintenance, and was recoverable in the Spiritual Court; but now only in Chancery.
