[mass noun]the action of endowing something or someone 捐赠 he tried to promote the endowment of a Chair of Psychiatry. 他力促捐资设立一个精神病学的教席。 ■[count noun]an income or form of property given or bequeathed to someone (赠给某人的)一笔款项(或财产) ■(一般作 endowments)a quality or ability possessed or inherited by someone 资质,天赋,天资 ■[usu. as modifier]a form of life insurance involving payment of a fixed sum to the insured person on a specified date, or to their estate should they die before this date 人寿保险 an endowment policy. 人寿保险单。