Word Study
tontine
CIDE DICTIONARY
tontine, n. [F., from It. tontina; -- so called from its inventor, Tonti , an Italian, of the 17th century.].
An annuity, with the benefit of survivorship, or a loan raised on life annuities with the benefit of survivorship. Thus, an annuity is shared among a number, on the principle that the share of each, at his death, is enjoyed by the survivors, until at last the whole goes to the last survivor, or to the last two or three, according to the terms on which the money is advanced. Used also adjectively; as, tontine insurance. [1913 Webster]
" Too many of the financiers by professions are apt to see nothing in revenue but banks, and circulations, and annuities on lives, and tontines, and perpetual rents, and all the small wares of the shop." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
tontine, n. an annuity shared by subscribers to a loan, the shares increasing as subscribers die until the last survivor gets all, or until a specified date when the remaining survivors share the proceeds.
Etymology
F, f. the name of Lorenzo Tonti of Naples, originator of tontines in France c. 1653
ROGET THESAURUS
tontine
Receipt
N receipt, value received, money coming in, income, incomings, innings, revenue, return, proceeds, gross receipts, net profit, earnings, accepta, avails, rent, rent roll, rental, rentage, rack-rent, premium, bonus, sweepstakes, tontine, pension, annuity, jointure, alimony, palimony, pittance, emolument, receiving, received, profitable.For further exploring for "tontine" in Webster Dictionary Online