al·i·mo·ny 
(ălə-mō′nē)
(ălə-mō′nē)n. pl. al·i·mo·nies
1. Law An allowance for support made under court order to a divorced person by the former spouse, usually the chief provider during the marriage. Alimony may also be granted without a divorce, as between legally separated persons.
2. A means of livelihood; maintenance.
[Latin alimōnia, sustenance, from alere, to nourish; see al-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]