bounty etymology

Etymology:

• Middle English: bounte, from Anglo-Norman French bunte, bounte, from Latin bonitas "goodness"

Meaning:

• A reward offered for the capture or killing of a person or animal.
• A large sum of money or other valuable thing given as a reward or payment.
• A generous gift or donation.

Origin:

The word "bounty" ultimately derives from the Latin "bonitas," meaning "goodness" or "kindness." In medieval times, "bonitas" was used to describe the quality of being generous or benevolent.

The term "bounty" first emerged in the 13th century to refer to a payment made by a lord to his vassals for military service. Over time, the meaning of "bounty" expanded to include any reward or payment given for a specific purpose.

By the 16th century, "bounty" was commonly used to describe a reward offered for the capture or killing of a person or animal, particularly if the person was an outlaw or a dangerous predator. This usage became particularly prevalent in the American colonies, where bounties were offered for the killing of wolves, bears, and other threats to livestock and property.

Today, the term "bounty" is still used to refer to rewards for the capture or killing of people or animals, but it also has a broader meaning to denote any generous gift or payment.

bounty relate terms

• bonus

  Etymology The word bonus is derived from the Latin word bonus which means good I

• bounteous

  Etymology The word bounteous originates from the Old French word bonte meaning good

• bounty

  Etymology Middle English bounte from Anglo Norman French bunte bounte from Latin bo

• bountiful

  Etymology The word bountiful comes from the Middle English word buntival which is d

• premium

  Etymology The word premium comes from the Latin word praemium meaning reward or

• amplitude

  Etymology The word amplitude comes from the Latin word amplitudo which means size

• largesse

  Etymology Old French largesse Latin largitas from largus copious abundant Mea

• mutiny

  Etymology and Meaning of Mutiny The term mutiny originates from the Latin word motus m

• plenteous

  Etymology Middle English plentevous from Anglo Norman French plentevous from Old Fre

• scalper

  Etymology The term scalper has its origins in the Native American practice of removing

• warder

  Etymology Old English weardere from Proto West Germanic warderaz from Proto Germanic

• reward

  Etymology Middle English rewarde from Anglo French rewarde reward from Old French r

• esoteric

  Etymology Esoteric comes from the Greek word esoterikos which means inner or secret

• guild

  Etymology Old English gild Anglo Saxon gildan meaning to pay or to contribute