Endows

Endows is the third-person singular present tense of the verb endow, meaning to give or provide with a particular quality, ability, or resource. It is used when describing the act of furnishing someone or something with needed or desirable characteristics, or supplying funds or property to an institution. The constructions endow someone with something or endow something with something are common; the first pattern emphasizes a recipient and a quality, the second emphasizes the object being supplied.

In finance and philanthropy, endow often refers to providing funds that are invested to generate income in perpetuity for a purpose, such as a university endowment. An endowment fund's principal is usually protected, with income used for scholarships, chairs, or programs.

As an adjective, endowed with describes someone or something that has a notable quality or resource by virtue of having been endowed.

Etymology: The term evokes the historical idea of endowing a dowry or gift; over time it broadened to include any substantial provision of resources or attributes.

Related terms: endowment (the act or result of endowing; a fund or property donated to support an institution); endower (one who endows); synonyms such as bestow, confer, and grant, with nuanced distinctions.

Examples: The philanthropist endowed the university with a $100 million fund. The region is endowed with rich mineral resources. The phrase endowed with is also used to denote inherent attributes.