Congiary

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Congiary \Con"gi*a*ry\, n.; pl. {Congiaries}. [L. congiarium,
     fr. congius a liquid measure.]
     A present, as of corn, wine, or oil, made by a Roman emperor
     to the soldiers or the people; -- so called because measured
     to each in a congius. --Addison.
     [1913 Webster]


  
     Note: In later years, when gifts of money were distributed,
           the name congius was retained.
           [1913 Webster]