The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Alimony \Al"i*mo*ny\, n. [L. alimonia, alimonium, nourishment,
   sustenance, fr. alere to nourish.]
   1. Maintenance; means of living.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Law) An allowance made to a wife out of her husband's
      estate or income for her support, upon her divorce or
      legal separation from him, or during a suit for the same.
      --Wharton. Burrill.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

alimony
    n 1: court-ordered support paid by one spouse to another after
         they are separated [syn: alimony, maintenance]