Dividend
Etymology
From Latin dividendum, "that which is to be divided," from dividere, "to divide, distribute." The word names exactly what it is — the portion of earnings set aside to be divided among owners.
noun · /DIV-ih-dend/
A share of a company’s profits paid out to its shareholders, usually in cash.
What it names
It shows one of two ways owning stock pays off: not just hoping the price rises, but receiving a regular cut of the profits along the way.
Example
The utility stock paid a modest dividend every quarter, which she reinvested.
Related idea
A dividend is income from your equity; equity is the ownership stake that entitles you to it.