Disendow

/ˌdɪsɪnˈdaʊ/ verb

Definition

To deprive of an endowment or to withdraw financial support or funds from an institution.

Etymology

Formed with prefix 'dis-' (meaning to reverse) plus 'endow' (from Middle English, related to providing permanent income). The term emerged to describe the opposite of establishing an endowment.

Kelly Says

During the French Revolution, governments actually 'disendowed' the Catholic Church by seizing its lands and revenues—it's a historically loaded word that describes seizing institutional wealth.

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