gratuitous etymology

Etymology:

  • "Gratuitous" comes from Late Latin "gratuitus," meaning "freely given, voluntary," from Latin "gratus," meaning "pleasing, welcome, agreeable."

Meaning:

  • Unnecessary, uncalled for, or done without good reason or consideration.
  • Given or done freely, without expectation of payment or return.

Origin:

  • The word "gratuitous" evolved from the Latin phrase "pro gratis," which literally means "for free." It originally referred to actions or gifts that were given freely, without any obligation or expectation of recompense.
  • Over time, the meaning of "gratuitous" shifted to something that is unnecessary or unwarranted, as it often seemed that things given freely were done so for no good reason.
  • However, the original sense of "gratuitous" as something freely given still exists in certain contexts, such as "gratuitous assistance" or "gratuitous advice."

gratuitous relate terms

  • gratuitously

    Etymology Latin gratus pleasing agreeable ous suffix indicating full of

  • gratuitous

    Etymology Gratuitous comes from Late Latin gratuitus meaning freely given volunt

  • agree

    Etymology From Middle English agreen from Anglo Norman agreer from Old French agreer

  • bard

    Etymology and Origin The word bard is derived from the Old Irish word bardd which i

  • congratulate

    Etymology The word congratulate comes from the Latin phrase cum grātulārī which mea

  • congratulation

    Etymology The word congratulation comes from the Latin word congratulari which means

  • disgrace

    Etymology Late Middle English in the sense loss of honour or reputation from O

  • grace

    Etymology Latin gratia favor thankfulness grace Meaning Favor kindness or good

  • gracious

    Etymology Middle English gracious from Old French gracieux from Latin gratiosus f

  • grateful

    Etymology Middle English grateful from Anglo French grateful from grat grate verb

  • gratis

    Etymology From Spanish gratis meaning free of charge Meaning Free of charge

  • gratitude

    Etymology The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia meaning favor

  • gratuitous

    Etymology Gratuitous comes from Late Latin gratuitus meaning freely given volunt

  • gratuity

    Etymology The word gratuity originates from the Latin word gratuitus which means f

  • gratulation

    Etymology Old French congratulation Latin gratulatio gratulationis Meaning An exp

  • ingrate

    Etymology The word ingrate comes from the Latin word ingratus which means unthankfu

  • ingratiate

    Etymology Latin ingratiāre to make oneself agreeable Prefix in into Verb g

  • free

    Etymology The word free comes from the Old English word freo which in turn derives f

  • kibitz

    Etymology Kibitz is derived from the Yiddish word kvibitsn meaning to look on and giv

  • fere

    Etymology From Middle English feren from Old English feran from Proto Germanic feran

  • reef

    Etymology The word reef comes from the Old English word rif which referred to a ridg

  • saute

    Etymology The word saute originates from the French verb sauter which means to jum

  • participle

    Etymology Latin participle noun French participe noun English participle noun

  • observe

    Etymology refers to the study of the origin and development of words It can be used to tr

  • talent

    Etymology The word talent has two distinct etymologies Greek τάλαντον Mea

  • disciple

    Etymology The word disciple comes from the Latin discipulus which means pupil or