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gratuitous

 - 4 dictionary results

gra⋅tu⋅i⋅tous

  [gruh-too-i-tuhs, -tyoo-]
Use gratuitous in a Sentence
–adjective
1. given, done, bestowed, or obtained without charge or payment; free; voluntary.
2. being without apparent reason, cause, or justification: a gratuitous insult.
3. Law. given without receiving any return value.
Origin:
1650–60; < L grātuītus free, freely given, spontaneous, deriv. of grātus thankful, received with thanks (for formation cf. fortuitous ); see -ous

Related forms:
gra⋅tu⋅i⋅tous⋅ly, adverb
gra⋅tu⋅i⋅tous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
2. unnecessary, superfluous, redundant; causeless, unreasonable, groundless, unprovoked, unjustified.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To gratuitous
gra·tu·i·tous   (grə-tōō'ĭ-təs, -tyōō'-)   
adj.  

  1. Given or granted without return or recompense; unearned.

  2. Given or received without cost or obligation; free.

  3. Unnecessary or unwarranted; unjustified: gratuitous criticism.


[From Latin grātuītus; see gwerə-2 in Indo-European roots.]
gra·tu'i·tous·ly adv., gra·tu'i·tous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

gratuitous 
1656, "freely bestowed," from L. gratuitus "free, spontaneous, voluntary," from gratia "favor." Sense of "uncalled for, done without good reason" is first recorded 1691.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: gra·tu·i·tous
Pronunciation: gr&-'tü-&-t&s, -'tyü-
Function: adjective
: not involving a return benefit, compensation, or consideration —compare ONEROUS —gra·tu·i·tous·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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