from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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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