PENSIONARY, or PENSIONER, a person who has an appointment or yearly sum, payable during life, by way of acknowledgment, charged on the estate of a prince, company, or particular person.
Grand Pensionary, an appellation given to the first minister of the States of Holland. The grand pensionary is chairman in the assemblies of the states of that province: he proposes the matters to be consulted on; collects the votes; forms and pronounces the resolutions of the states; opens letters; confers with foreign ministers, &c. His business is also to inspect the finances, to maintain the authority of the states, and to see that the laws are observed; and he is perpetual deputy of the states general of the United Provinces. His commission is, however, given him only for five years; after which it is deliberated whether or not it shall be renewed; but there is no instance of its being revoked; therefore death only puts an end to the functions of this important minister.