baksheesh
or bak·shish, bak·shis
[bak-sheesh, bak-sheesh](in the Near and Middle East)
- a tip, present, or gratuity.
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- to give a tip.
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Origin of baksheesh
First recorded in 1615–25, baksheesh is from the Persian word bakhshish gift
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
salarywagefeeperktipcommissionrecompensepaybackpercentagerewardperquisiteremunerationbaksheeshExamples from the Web for baksheesh
Historical Examples
Those incapables had no doubt been after David for baksheesh, and he felt just that way.
The Ship DwellersAlbert Bigelow Paine
Still, I am sorry now I didn't contribute the baksheesh he expected.
The Ship DwellersAlbert Bigelow Paine
The first word these loons pronounce after coming into the world must be baksheesh.
Romantic SpainJohn Augustus O'Shea
The next best thing to do is to forget the wish, pay two-pence in baksheesh and ride away to get the most of a glorious view.
The Walls of ConstantinopleBernard Granville Baker
For the first two years of war he kept out of the army by means of baksheesh.
Eastern Nights - and FlightsAlan Bott
baksheesh
backsheesh
(in some Eastern countries, esp formerly)
- money given as a tip, a present, or alms
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- to give such money to (a person)
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Word Origin
C17: from Persian bakhshīsh, from bakhshīdan to give; related to Sanskrit bhaksati he enjoys
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for baksheesh
n.
1620s, in India, Egypt, etc., "a tip," from Persian bakhshish, literally "gift," from verb bakhshidan "to give" (also "to forgive"), from PIE root *bhag- "to share out, apportion, distribute" (see -phagous).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper