An archaic term for a pension, allowance, or food ration, especially one granted by a monastery or feudal lord; historically also spelled as a variant of corrosion.
From Old French 'corrode,' possibly from Latin 'corrodere' in the sense of 'wearing away' or consuming. In medieval English, it meant a right to receive food and lodging at an institution, later corrupted through similar-sounding words.
Medieval monasteries gave out 'corrodys'—annual payments of food and shelter—and the word is suspiciously close to 'corrode,' suggesting monks viewed pensions as something that 'wore away' at the institution's resources, which is both funny and deeply human!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.