alimony

noun | \ ˈa-lə-ˌmō-nē \ | al·i·mo·ny

1. : an allowance made to one spouse by the other for support pending or after legal separation or divorce — compare child support

   — alimony in gross
   : lump sum alimony in this entry

   — alimony pendente lite
   : alimony granted pending a suit for divorce or separation that includes a reasonable allowance for the prosecution of the suit — called also temporary alimony

   — lump sum alimony
   : alimony awarded after divorce that is a specific vested amount not subject to change — called also alimony in gross

   — permanent alimony
   : alimony awarded after divorce which consists of payments at regular intervals that may change in amount or terminate (as upon the payee's remarriage)

   — temporary alimony
   : alimony pendente lite in this entry

2. : means of living, support, or maintenance fathers and mothers owe alimony to their illegitimate children —Louisiana Civil Code