Alimony

[Lat. alimonia, from alere, to nourish, or support. J Nourishment, support or maintenance. An allowance made to a wife out/>f the husband's estate, for her maintenance, either during a matrimonial suit, or at its termination, where she has proved herself entitled to a separate maintenance. That proportion of the husband's estate which the wife sues, in the ecclesiastical court, or court of equity, to have allowed her for her present subsistence and livelihood, according to law, upon any such separation from her husband as is not caused by her own elopement or adultery.* Shelf ord Marr, <k Div, 586. In causes between husband and wife, on the principle that the whole property is supposed by law to be vested in the husband, he is in most cases obliged by law to pay the expenses on both sides, and to allow the wife alimony during the suit. Id, ibid. 1 Bl. Com. 441. 8 Id, 04. 2 Steph, Com. 812. 2 Kenfs Com. 99, 128. This allowance is sometimes called in the old law, the wife's estover, OT estovers. 1 Bl. Com, 441, Cowell, See Estovers,