释义 |
gra·tu·i·ty \]ē, ]i\ noun (-es) Etymology: Middle French gratuité, from Latin gratuitus + Middle French -té -ty 1. a. : graciousness especially of manner or conduct : courteous consideration < her manner completely lacking in gratuity > b. : an act of graciousness : a graceful courtesy < all sorts of little gratuities of behavior — Elizabeth Bowen > 2. : something given voluntarily or over and above what is due usually in return for or in anticipation of some service: as a. chiefly Britain (1) : a cash sum given a soldier when he reenlists, retires, or is honorably discharged (2) : a lump sum paid in addition to pension to a retiring employee especially under civil service b. : tip VIII c. : a payment intended to influence a person in the payer's behalf usually improperly : bribe d. : a payment made to a released convict in order to help him reestablish himself in society and sometimes in lieu of wages for labor performed in prison e. : death benefit 3. obsolete : payment made or due for services : wages 4. : the quality or state of being gratuitous |