viaticum

Definition

The Eucharist, when given to a person who is dying or one in danger of death.

Etymology

From Latin viāticum (“travelling-money, provisions for a journey”), from viāticus (“of a road or journey”), from via (“road”). Doublet of voyage.

Example Sentences

• "[…]from Anglo-Saxon times there had been a deep conviction that to receive the viaticum was a virtual death sentence which would make subsequent recovery impossible."
• "Towards night-fall he entered a town called Sa’adiyah where he alighted and took out somewhat of his viaticum and ate."
• "That viaticum I had been made to drink had undoubtedly been spiked with cantharides or something."