Pl. viatica. [L. viāticum travelling-money, provision for a journey, neut. sing. of viāticus (rare), f. via way. Hence Sp., Pg., It. viatico, F. viatique.]
1. Eccl. The Eucharist, as administered to or received by one who is dying or in danger of death.
1562. in Cooper, Answ. Priv. Masse (Parker Soc.), 11. Divers Christians … would … be always sure to have their viaticum, as it is termed in the old canons, that is to say, their voyage-provision.
1565. T. Stapleton, Fortr. Faith, 126. Whiche the auncient fathers called Viaticum, the viage provision of Christen men departing oute off this world.
c. 1610. Women Saints, 78. After that she had receiued her holie Viaticum or voiage foode … she departed this life.
1667. in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ., III. 63. Wee durst not giue him the holy viaticum, he being so farre spent.
1685. Evelyn, Mrs. Godolphin, 151. As if presageing what was att hand, she … furnish’d herselfe with the heavenly Viaticum.
1744. in J. O. Payne, Old Eng. Cath. Missions (1889), 28. I administered the viaticum to Will, Slie at E. Witton, he dyed Sep. 3.
1774. Ann. Reg., 151. Many people were dangerously wounded, 18 of whom had the viaticum administered.
1839. [Wiseman], Lives St. Alph. Liguori, etc., 225. Her mother fell so dangerously ill, that the Viaticum was brought to her.
1855. Kingsley, Westw. Ho! xxvi. No absolution, no viaticum, nor anything! I die like a dog!
1894. J. T. Fowler, Adamnan, Introd. p. liv. Having received the holy viaticum at the hands of St. Kevin, he passed away in peace.
attrib. 1686. trans. Chardin’s Trav. Persia, 101. They make their Viaticum Bread once a year; that is to say, upon Holy Thursday.
2. A supply of money or other necessaries for a journey; a sum given or taken to cover travelling expenses.
1582–8. Hist. James VI. (1804), 100. This was very acceptabill to the Duke, and thairfoir he gaue him a reasonabill viaticum for performance of this fact.
1594. in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ., V. 243. He was sent by his superior into Scotland, and had fiftee[n] crownes for his viaticum.
1621. Fletcher, Pilgrim, I. ii. A poor viaticum; very good gold, Sir; But holy men affect a better treasure.
1637–50. Row, Hist. Kirk (Wodrow Soc.), 423. The Earle of Dumbar dealt many angells of gold pretended for a viaticum, but indeed for voteing.
1649. Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., I. vi. 102. The smallnesse of their viaticum and accommodation for their voyage … were so many circumstances of poverty.
1721. Wodrow, Corr. (1843), II. 587. There is L.120 of debt on the Church, and the viaticums are stopped.
1752. in Scots Mag. (1753), 512. This pannel caused to be sent him his baggage, and a viaticum of money.
1822. T. Taylor, Apuleius, XI. 285. When a few days had elapsed, I rapidly collected together my viatica in bundles.
1899. B. Camm, Brave Days of Old, 85. This money had been given to him by the most munificent Pope Gregory XIII, for his viaticum or travelling expenses the year before.
b. Without article.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., III. 88. He allowed them only bare viaticum to bear their charges.
1883. Law Rep., 9 Probate Div. 41. The Gustaf is an authority in favour of the seamen’s claim for viaticum, and it is always the practice to give subsistence money.
c. Provisions taken for use on a journey. Also transf. (quot. 1862).
1663. Patrick, Parab. Pilgr., xviii. It will be a very good Viaticum for you, and in the strength of this Food you may travel many days.
1666. J. Davies, Hist. Caribby Isles, 239. Afterwards sitting down on the grass, every one fell to what he had brought along with him for his Viaticum.
1701. C. Wolley, Jrnl. New York (1860), 36. This Indian Corn is their constant Viaticum in their travels and War.
1791. W. Bartram, Carolina, 344. I … comforted myself with a frugal repast of biscuit and dried beef, which was all the food my viaticum afforded me by this time.
1862. Rawlinson, Anc. Mon., Chaldæa, I. 135. In the Chaldæan sepulchres a number of dishes are always ranged round the skeleton, containing the viaticum of the deceased person.
1880. W. G. Blaikie, Livingstone, v. 89. Purchasing a loaf and a piece of cheese as viaticum, he started for a college at Oberlin.
3. transf. and fig. (from senses 1 and 2).
a. 1618. Davies, Wittes Pilgr., Wks. (Grosart), II. 46/1. And sith thy Pilgrimage is almost past Thou needst the lesse Viaticum for it.
1640. Flecknoe, Trav., xxxiii. (1667), 103. Tis to … travel without viaticum for any to … undertake a voyage without the Language of the Country, where he goes.
1649. Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., II. § 12. 96. The grace of God is our viaticum and entertains us by the way.
1676. Hale, Contemp., II. (1677), 186. He … hath a great freedom from fear of Death, and no small viaticum to attain Tranquillity of mind in his life.
1741. Warburton, Div. Legat., VI. § 6. The doctrine of a future state … was their constant viaticum through life.
1775. J. Jekyll, Corr. (1894), i. 20. Bunbury’s etchings and Sterne’s journey are almost as good viaticums in France as the post book.
1853. C. D. Yonge, trans. Laertius, V. 189. Another of his sayings was, that education was the best viaticum for old age.
1891. Farrar, Soc. & Present Day Quest., 211. There is all Biography … to nourish you with the viaticum of good examples.
