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