1. A court’s award of post-relationship support or compensation for services, money, and goods contributed during a long-term nonmarital relationship, esp. where a common-law marriage cannot be established. The term originated in the press coverage of Marvin v. Marvin, 557 P.2d 106 (Cal. 1976). Cf. alimony. [Cases: Marriage54. C.J.S. Marriage ?? 43?44.]
2. Loosely, child support. This sense is esp. common in the United Kingdom.