gratuity
[gruh-too-i-tee, -tyoo-]
- a gift of money, over and above payment due for service, as to a waiter or bellhop; tip.
- something given without claim or demand.
- British.
- a bonus granted to war veterans by the government.
- a bonus given military personnel on discharge or retirement.
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Origin of gratuity
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
bonusperkbenefactionofferingalmstokensalvedonationrecompenseboonbountycontributionrewardpresentperquisitelargessesweetenerExamples from the Web for gratuities
Historical Examples
She gave many alms and gratuities and did not pay her debts.
The book of the ladiesPierre de Bourdeille Brantme
The cooking was excellent, the service irreproachable, and there were no gratuities.
Across America by Motor-cycleC. K. Shepherd
Guides are forbidden to ask for gratuities in excess of the regular tariff.
Over the OceanCurtis Guild
He must have carried away half of the gratuities they offered.
A Book of GhostsSabine Baring-Gould
Endeavour was relaxed, and gratuities, once received, were looked for again.
gratuity
- a gift or reward, usually of money, for services rendered; tip
- something given without claim or obligation
- military a financial award granted for long or meritorious service
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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 gratuities
gratuity
n.
1520s, "graciousness," from French gratuité (14c.) or directly from Medieval Latin gratuitatem (nominative gratuitas) "free gift," probably from Latin gratuitus "free, freely given" (see gratuitous). Meaning "money given for favor or services" is first attested 1530s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper