bountyn.
/ˈbaʊnti/, U.S. /ˈbaʊn(t)i/ a. Of persons: Goodness in general, worth, virtue; in plural virtues, excellences; also excellent condition, high estate. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > [noun] > moral excellence
goodwilleOE
goodnesseOE
thewnessc1200
goodlaikc1225
goodheadc1275
honestete1340
bountyc1386
goodliheada1393
prowessc1395
honestyc1400
goodliness1405
virtuosityc1443
virtuousnessc1449
virtueheada1456
good naturec1475
integrity1548
honestness1556
graciousness1591
saintship1613
gracefulness1619
saintliness1838
te1895
virtu1906
c1386 G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale 359 Publissched was the bounte of hir name..in many a regioun.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10086 Þis leuedi lele, þat buntes in hir bar sa fele.
c1440 Partonope 4525 Bount, mercy, and eke mekenesse.
1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. mijv/1 Thou knowest what I haue doon for the bounte that is in the.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) ii. 48 Neuer..man sa hard frayit as wes he Yat efterwart com to sic bounte.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1960) xiii. ii. 152 The gret Ene, Quhilk in excelland vertu and bonte Excedit all the remanent a far way.
1623 W. Drummond Cypresse Groue in Flowres of Sion 75 Hee is onelie the true and essentiall Bountie, so is Hee the onelie essentiall and true Beautie.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > courage > valour > warlike valour > [noun] > warlike excellence
worshipOE
chivalry1297
vassalage1303
bountyc1330
valuea1393
well-doingc1475
war-proofa1616
nine-worthiness1663
the mind > emotion > courage > valour > deed of valour > [noun] > heroic feat
chivalry1297
bountyc1330
vassalagec1330
feata1400
turnc1400
pointc1440
valiance1470
valiantise1513
valiancy1627
gallantry1652
heroism1740
heroics1873
c1330 Amis & Amil. 5 Twoo barons of grete bounte.
a1400 Morte Arth. (Roxb.) 5 Off alle þe world the beste knight Off biaute and of bounte.
c1430 Syr Gener. 9828 His bountie fel fast to ground.
1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 19 What honour is comen to me by his prowesse & by his bounte.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 132 He thocht..To do ane owtrageous bounte.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) lxiii. sig. Oii For he is the chefe floure of bounte in all maner of chyualry.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [noun]
goodnessOE
mund?c1250
daintethc1290
bountyc1300
daintyc1300
excellencec1384
virtuea1393
excellency?a1400
nobilitya1400
meritc1425
singularity?c1450
fineness1523
admirationa1533
rareness1545
rightness1561
rariety1566
rarity1566
excellentness1569
beautya1586
admirableness1607
primeness1611
gallantry1650
eximiety1656
optimity1656
altesse1660
unexceptionableness1669
excellingness1701
quality1803
sterlingness1815
stupendosity1828
goodliness1832
superbness1832
unexceptionability1837
sweetness and light1867
class1884
rortiness1885
rippingness1903
superstardom1928
motherfucker1977
awesomeness1998
c1300 Beket 1031 Gold ne passeth noȝt in Bounte so moche Leode.
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 825 He schal bring to þe turment þat day..a stede of gret bounte.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xlvii. l. 21 KaAmalot..was of sweche bownte that Alle kinges weren crowned þere Sekerle.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. Pref. The bountie of the same cronycles, in whom are conteygned the warres of these parties..encorageth me.
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour ii. vii. sig. Qi Norysshyng meates and drynkes in a sycke body, do lose their bountie.
1592 W. Wyrley Capitall de Buz in True Vse Armorie 152 By his coursers bountie sir Hue Chatelon Was savd.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [noun] > act of kindness
goodOE
loveOE
estdedea1325
bounty1330
benefice1340
benefit1377
while1382
whileness1382
officec1384
excellencec1385
goodshipa1393
kindnessc1400
benevolencec1425
benignityc1534
obligement1611
obligation1618
friendlinessa1633
benevolenta1639
beneficence1654
amability1655
benefactiona1662
knight-service1675
kindliness1883
humanity1985
1330 R. Mannyng Chron. 266 For Edward gode dede Þe Baliol did him mede a wikked bounte.
c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋451 Agayn wikked dede of his enemy, he shal doon hym bountee.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12501 Quar-for..To þis dedman þat hight als þou, Ne dos þou grace o bunte nan?
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 160/2 He remembryd euyl the bountee that he did to hym.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xii. 181 And she hym asked what bounte it was that she hadde hym don.
1651 Severall Proc. Parl. No. 92. 1407 Christ came the neerest to him [Peter] in a miraculous bounty.
4.
a. Goodness shown in giving, gracious liberality, munificence: usually attributed to God, or to the great and wealthy, who have it in their power to give largely and liberally.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > liberal giving > [noun] > liberality
freedomOE
custinessOE
largesse?c1225
freeshipa1250
franchisec1325
largitya1382
largenessa1387
liberalityc1390
bountya1400
honestya1400
freenessc1400
largec1400
liberalnessc1410
munificencec1425
plentyc1425
bounteousnessc1440
magnificencec1450
bountifulness1489
bountines1512
royalty1548
magnificency?c1550
munificency?c1550
free-heartedness1583
profuseness1584
bountihead1590
lavishness1590
frankness1591
ingenuousness1611
fruitfulnessa1616
generosity1634
open-handednessa1640
large-heartedness1640
communicativeness1653
unsparingness1818
free-handedness1860
big-heartedness1872
ungrudgingness1885
two-handedness1891
outgivingness1968
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9531 To quam ilkan he gaf sum-thing Of his might and of his bounte.
a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 137 For her bounte and goodnesse, God hath shewed mani miracles for her.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 215 Bountie and largesse is befallyng for kynges.
1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 23 The honourable bountye of a noble mind.
1611 T. Middleton & T. Dekker Roaring Girle sig. B3 When bounty spreades the table, faith t'were sinne, (at going of) if thankes should not step in.
1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 17. ⁋4 Every other satisfaction which the bounty of Providence has scattered over life.
1839 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece VII. 207 The royal liberality of his nature, which delighted in acts of bounty.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. iv. 302 Many of these people..were dependent on his bounty.
b. An act of generosity, a thing generously bestowed; a boon, gift, gratuity.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > gift or present > [noun] > grant or boon
bountyc1250
tithinga1300
grantc1380
blessing1382
vouchsafement1629
the mind > possession > giving > liberal giving > [noun] > instance or act of
bountyc1250
largessec1425
liberality1526
generosity1606
c1250 Old Eng. Misc. 36 For þise griate bunte þet ure lord yefþ.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xiv. 150 Men doth hym other bounte, Ȝyueth hym a cote aboue his couenaunte.
1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid viii. Prol. 140 Sum [langis] for thar bonty or bone.
1602 Returne fr. Parnassus (Arb.) ii. i. 21 Here is..foure pence your due, and eight pence my bounty.
1679–88 Secr. Serv. M. Chas. II & Jas. II (1851) 68 To Colld Morrice Kingwell, bounty £100 0 0.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 113 I gave a Largess or Bounty of five Dollars a Man.
1878 J. Morley Diderot I. 289 The Empress added a handsome bounty to the bargain.
5. esp.1704 Off. Notice in London Gaz. No. 4077/4 The Governors of the Bounty of Queen Anne, for the Augmentation of the Maintenance of the Poor Clergy.1707 Off. Notice in London Gaz. No. 4323/3 A General Court of..the Bounty of Queen Anne.
a. A gift bestowed by the sovereign personally, or by the state. Queen Anne's Bounty: see quots.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > gift or present > [noun] > gift from specific person
bounty1704
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > grants and allowances > [noun] > payments to assist poor > for the poor clergy
Queen Anne's Bounty1704
Queen Anne's Bounty1713
1708 Royal Procl. in London Gaz. No. 4504/1 All such Seamen..shall Receive as our free Gift and Royal Bounty, the respective Rewards and Allowances following.
b. A gratuity given to recruits on joining the army or navy; also as a reward to soldiers.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for labour or service > [noun] > extra payments > on joining the forces
levy-money1671
bounty-money1692
bounty1702
bringing money1892
1702 Royal Procl. in London Gaz. No. 3821/2 Such who shall Desert any of Our Ships of War, in Order to obtain Our intended Bounty.
1802 R. Bloomfield Rural Tales 49 Employment fail'd, and poverty was come; The Bounty tempted me.
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple I. xvi. 272 On his arrival at Gibraltar, he had been offered, and had received the bounty.
1873 Act 36 & 37 Victoria lxxvii. §8 Out of any bounty or pay receivable by him.
c. A sum of money paid to merchants or manufacturers for the encouragement of some particular branch of industry.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > grants and allowances > [noun] > subsidy by a state > to merchants or manufacturers
bounty1719
corporate welfare1970
1719 W. Wood Surv. Trade (ed. 2) 150 Whatever shall be paid the Northern Colonies as a Bounty at first, to enter heartily and chearfully upon the doing of this.
1776 A. Smith Inq. Wealth of Nations I. i. xi. 246 In 1688 was granted the parliamentary bounty upon the exportation of corn. View more context for this quotation
1776 A. Smith Inq. Wealth of Nations II. iv. v. 105 Bounties are sometimes called premiums.
1817 Babington in Parl. Deb. 1st Ser. 762 The evils..arising from creating manufactures by means of a bounty from Government.
1852 J. R. McCulloch Dict. Commerce 1255 The existing bounties (draw~backs) on refined British colonial sugar are specified in the 11 & 12 Vict. c. 97.
d. A reward offered for the scalp of an American Indian, or for the body of a wanted criminal taken dead or alive. Now Historical. North American.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > reward or a reward > [noun] > sum offered for capture or death of person
blood money1535
price1679
bounty1764
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for labour or service > fee for services rendered > [noun] > payment for capture or return of person or property > others
scalp-money1704
head money1713
bounty1764
straggling-money1815
1764 J. Penn in Pennsylvania Arch. (1900) 4th Ser. III. Papers of Governors 292 I do..promise, that there shall be paid..the following several and respective premiums and Bounties for the prisoners and Scalps of the Enemy Indians that shall be taken or killed.
1886 J. Morley Crit. Misc. I. 110 The grandson of William Penn proclaimed a bounty of fifty dollars for the scalp of a female Indian, and three times as much for a male.
1929 H. G. Evarts Tomahawk Rights xii. 224 Twas the very settlers from hereabouts that..forced Pennsylvania to put a bounty on all Injun scalps.
1947 R. Santee Apache Land iii. 34 The Mexican States offered a bounty for Apache scalps.
1970 D. Brown Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee ii. 25 The Spanish, French, Dutch, and English colonists made the custom [sc. scalping] popular by offering bounties for scalps of their respective enemies.
e. A sum of money paid for the scalp (pelt, etc.) of each animal of a particular (usually dangerous) species killed. Chiefly North American.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting specific animals > [adjective] > payment for scalp, pelt, etc.
bounty1890
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting specific animals > [noun] > others > payment for scalp, pelt, etc.
bounty1890
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for labour or service > fee for services rendered > [adjective] > payments for specific services
bounty1890
1890 Stock Grower & Farmer 22 Feb. 3/1 The bounty law must be fixed up so that scalps will be paid for.
1901 L. W. Duncan & C. F. Scott Hist. Allen & Woodson Counties, Kansas 15 [The county board] offered a bounty of twenty~five cents for wolf scalps.
1912 Morning Oregonian (Portland, Oregon) 20 Oct. 5/7 Indians and others make good wages killing young coyotes and selling the pelts for bounty.
1919 C. G. Abbott Friends & Foes of Wild Life 5 Under present conditions in New York State..the institution of a bounty system would be of little..benefit.
1954 W. R. Eadie Animal Control 80 Many states pay bounties on bobcats.
1979 W. Ashworth Carson Factor vi. 61 The bounty system spread across the nation..reaching Oregon in 1840... The first modern bounty law was passed in 1909, and during..four years nearly ninety-two thousand coyotes were slaughtered.
f. transferred and figurative. A premium or reward.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > reward or a reward > [noun] > a reward
edlenc888
meedeOE
meedseOE
leanOE
gratitude1535
requital1545
requite1862
bounty1868
1868 M. Pattison Suggestions Acad. Organisation 62 Scholarships..are become a bounty upon a privileged species of education.
g. King's (or Queen's) bounty: a sum of money given from the royal purse to a mother who has given birth to three or more children at once.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > grants and allowances > [noun] > other types of grant, etc.
lock1608
vote1704
capitation fee?1809
capitation allowance1832
capitation grant1854
capitation payment1857
King's (or Queen's) bounty1872
block grant1900
1872 Porcupine 8 June 156/1 Frenchwomen are seldom recipients of the Queen's bounty.
1910 Encycl. Brit. IV. 324/2 King's Bounty.
1939 Times Lit. Suppl. 18 Mar. 162/3 Here, too, are..‘quins’ and the King's Bounty.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
bounty-money n.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for labour or service > [noun] > extra payments > on joining the forces
levy-money1671
bounty-money1692
bounty1702
bringing money1892
1692 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) II. 524 Letters from Torbay say that they were distributing the bounty money.
1863 Cornhill Mag. Mar. 443 The kit is no longer to be paid for out of the bounty-money.
C2.
bounty-broker n. (see quot.).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warrior > others concerned with military affairs > [noun] > one who supplies soldiers > by decoy
bounty-broker1864
bringer1864
1864 G. A. Sala in Daily Tel. 9 Aug. A bounty-broker is simply a crimp, or what the recruiting sergeants in Charles-street, Westminster, call a ‘bringer’.
bounty-fed n. supported and encouraged by bounties.
ΚΠ
1884 Sat. Rev. 14 June 781/1 A countervailing duty upon bounty-fed sugar.
bounty-hunter n. North American (now Historical) a person who pursues wanted criminals, etc., for the sake of rewards offered.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > law enforcement > law-enforcement or peace-officer > [noun] > pursuer of criminals for reward
bounty-hunter1930
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > reward or a reward > [noun] > sum offered for capture or death of person > one seeking to gain
bounty-hunter1930
1930 U.S. Dept. Agric. Official Rec. 27 Mar. 7/2 The arrest of these dishonest bounty hunters has broken up the activities of thieves in the State [of Washington].
1954 E. Leonard Bounty Hunters vi. 45 Duro studied the bounty hunter silently. Within him he could feel the hatred for this man.
1964 L. Cochran Wilderness vi. 53 All but the leader [sc. a wolf] had met their death by eating poisoned baits set by bounty hunters.
1984 Listener 14 June 37/4 Fonda is an ageing bounty-hunter who brings a corpse in for the inexperienced sheriff.
bounty-jumper n. U.S. (see quot.).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > soldier by type of service > [noun] > deserter
transfuge1548
fugitive1553
transfuger1611
deserter1667
bounty-jumper1875
bug-out1956
1875 T. W. Higginson Young Folks' Hist. U.S. 306 Bringing into the service many ‘bounty-jumpers’..who enlisted merely for money, and soon deserted to enlist again.
bounty-jumping n. U.S.
ΚΠ
1881 Congress. Rec. Feb. 1292/2 We had in some of our large cities men who were pursuing the very profitable industry of ‘bounty jumping’.
bountyless adj. without bounty.
ΚΠ
1864 Daily Tel. 9 Sept. His conscripts, bountyless as they may be, will have to be paid.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
n.c1250