endowmentn.1. The act of bestowing a dower, fund, or permanent provision for support.()2. That which is bestowed or settled on a person or an institution; property, fund, or revenue permanently appropriated to any object; as, the endowment of a church, a hospital, or a college.()3. That which is given or bestowed upon the person or mind; gift of nature; accomplishment; natural capacity; talents; -- usually in the plural.()His early endowments had fitted him for the work he was to do. (I. Taylor.)n. pl.[NL., fr. Gr. 'e`ndon within + zw^,on an animal.] (Zol.) See Entozoa.()