Solatium

Word of the Day for Monday, December 26, 2011

solatium \soh-LEY-shee-uhm\, noun:

1. Something given in compensation for inconvenience, loss or injury.
2. Law. Damages awarded to a plaintiff as compensation for personal suffering or grief arising from an injury.

Perhaps something could be done. And the following week it was. Arthur found himself awarded a solatium of £7, which had accumulated in some overlooked fund, and which the authorities graciously felt could be applied to his purpose.
-- Julian Barnes, Arthur & George

It is essential to emphasize that I was in no way “fired” that afternoon; rather, for the record, I merely committed my signature to a number of documents resigning tenure, accepting a none too liberal severance solatium, agreeing to vacate my offices within the week.
-- Tim O'Brien, Tomcat in Love

Solatium is a variation on the Medieval Latin word sōlācium, which shares the root with the word solace.

Thanks to: http://www.dictionary.com/