以上四個(gè)單詞均有“扶養(yǎng)費(fèi)用”的含義。alimony為“扶養(yǎng)費(fèi)”，指夫妻雙方在分居、婚姻訴訟或離婚時(shí)法院命令一方配偶向另一方配偶支付的維持生活等費(fèi)用，也稱(chēng)為spousal support、 maintenance或estover[1]。相比之下，alimony為過(guò)去所用詞，現(xiàn)法院更常用 maintenance 或 spousal support 作為其替代。palimony 則為法院判處的同居者分手后一方支付給另一方的扶養(yǎng)費(fèi)，其為 pal (同居伙伴，即 live-in partner)和 alimony 混成（blending) 而得的一個(gè)新詞，在美國(guó)，一些州在特定情況下曾有過(guò)此種“扶養(yǎng)費(fèi)”判給的先例[2]。galimony指同性同居者分手后一方支付給另一方的撫養(yǎng)費(fèi)，其為gal與palimony混成的新詞[3]。

[1 ] " A court-ordered allowance that one spouse pays to the other spouse for maintenance and support while they are separated, while they are involved in a matrimonial lawsuit， or after they are divorced. ” Cf. Bryan A. Garner, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th edition, at p. 73，West Group (1999).
[2 ] "An alimony-like financial provision upon the breakup of an unmarried couple who lived together. The courts in some states have expressed a willingness to make such awards in limited circumstance. ” Cf. James E. Clapp, Random House Webster's Dictionary of the Law, at p. 317，Random House (2000).
[3 ] Cf. Gail J. Koff, Practical Guide to Everyday Law, at p. 217, Simon & Schuster, Inc. (1985).