Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Bounty
Boun′ty
,Noun.
pl.
Bounties
. [OE.
bounte
goodness, kindness, F. bonté
, fr. L. bonitas
, fr. bonus
good, for older duonus
; cf. Skr. duvas
honor, respect.] 1.
Goodness, kindness; virtue; worth.
[Obs.]
Nature set in her at once beauty with
bounty
. Gower.
2.
Liberality in bestowing gifts or favors; gracious or liberal giving; generosity; munificence.
My
bounty
is as boundless as the sea. Shakespeare
3.
That which is given generously or liberally.
“Thy morning bounties.” Cowper.
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.
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.
Syn. – Munificence; generosity; beneficence.