Bounties

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Bounty \Boun"ty\, n.; pl. {Bounties}. [OE. bounte goodness,
     kindness, F. bont['e], fr. L. bonitas, fr. bonus good, for
     older duonus; cf. Skr. duvas honor, respect.]
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     1. Goodness, kindness; virtue; worth. [Obs.]
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              Nature set in her at once beauty with bounty.
                                                    --Gower.
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     2. Liberality in bestowing gifts or favors; gracious or
        liberal giving; generosity; munificence.
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              My bounty is as boundless as the sea. --Shak.
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     3. That which is given generously or liberally. "Thy morning
        bounties." --Cowper.
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     4. A premium offered or given to induce men to enlist into
        the public service; or to encourage any branch of
        industry, as husbandry or manufactures.
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     {Bounty jumper}, one who, during the latter part of the Civil
        War, enlisted in the United States service, and deserted
        as soon as possible after receiving the bounty. [Collog.]
        
  
     {Queen Anne's bounty} (Eng. Hist.), a provision made in Queen
        Anne's reign for augmenting poor clerical livings.
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     Syn: Munificence; generosity; beneficence.
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