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gratuity

 - 3 dictionary results

gra⋅tu⋅i⋅ty

  [gruh-too-i-tee, -tyoo-]
Use gratuity in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ties.
1. a gift of money, over and above payment due for service, as to a waiter or bellhop; tip.
2. something given without claim or demand.
3. British.
a. a bonus granted to war veterans by the government.
b. a bonus given military personnel on discharge or retirement.
Origin:
1515–25; < MF gratuite, equiv. to L grātuī(tus) free + MF -te -ty 2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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gra·tu·i·ty   (grə-tōō'ĭ-tē, -tyōō'-)   
n.   pl. gra·tu·i·ties
A favor or gift, usually in the form of money, given in return for service.

[French gratuité, from Old French gratuite, from Medieval Latin grātuītās, probably from Latin grātuītus, voluntary; see gratuitous.]
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

gratuity 
1523, "graciousness," from M.L. gratuitas "gift," probably from L. gratuitus "free, freely given" (see gratuitous). Meaning "money given for favor or services" is first attested 1540.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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