(In England and Wales) a system of poor relief whereby wages were supplemented by an allowance which varied according to the cost of bread and the size of the wage earner's family; = "Speenhamland system".
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in James Grahame (1765–1811), poet.
Definition of allowance system in US English:
allowance system
noun
historical
(In England and Wales) a system of poor relief whereby wages were supplemented by an allowance which varied according to the cost of bread and the size of the wage earner's family; = "Speenhamland system".
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in James Grahame (1765–1811), poet.