以上四個單詞均有“扶養(yǎng)費用”的含義。alimony為“扶養(yǎng)費”，指夫妻雙方在分居、婚姻訴訟或離婚時法院命令一方配偶向另一方配偶支付的維持生活等費用，也稱為spousal support、 maintenance或estover[1]。相比之下，alimony為過去所用詞，現法院更常用 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，其為 pal (同居伙伴，即 live-in partner)和 alimony 混成（blending) 而得的一個新詞，在美國，一些州在特定情況下曾有過此種“扶養(yǎng)費”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，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).