palimony
UK[ˈpælɪməni]US[ˈpælɪmoʊni]
n
An allowance for support made by one member of an unmarried couple to the other after separation.
Morpheme Breakdown
pal
imony
pal
companion
imony
property/benefit
Etymology
Palimony is a modern portmanteau, a blend of the informal English word "pal" and the legal term "alimony." It was coined in the late 20th century, specifically entering common usage after the 1976 lawsuit Marvin v. Marvin. The construction follows a clear analogical pattern: just as "alimony" (from Latin alimōnia, "nourishment, sustenance") provides support after a marriage dissolves, "palimony" provides support after a pal's cohabitation ends. This neologism creatively applies the formal suffix "-imony" to a casual root, legally formalizing the financial consequences of informal, long-term partnerships.
Analysis
Structure: pal (companion) + imony (property/benefit)
- pal: From English slang, itself likely from Romani phal ("brother, comrade"). Functions as the root denoting a close, informal companion.
- imony: From the final syllable of the word alimony. Functions as a combining form to indicate a legal financial provision following the end of a relationship.
Examples
The actor was ordered to pay a significant sum in palimony after the breakup of his long-term, non-marital relationship.
Their cohabitation agreement was crucial in determining the terms of the palimony settlement.
The concept of palimony recognizes the economic dependencies that can develop between unmarried partners.