gratuitously

English

WOTD – 14 October 2009

Etymology

From gratuitous + -ly.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ɡɹəˈtjuː.ɪ.təs.li/, /ɡɹəˈtʃuː.ɪ.təs.li/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ɡɹəˈtu.ə.təs.li/, /ɡɹəˈtju.ə.təs.li/

Adverb

gratuitously (comparative more gratuitously, superlative most gratuitously)

  1. Freely; in the manner of a gift, without being earned.
    • 1854, Henry David Thoreau, chapter 1, in Walden:
      We should feed and clothe him gratuitously sometimes, and recruit him with our cordials, before we judge of him.
  2. In a manner not demanded by the circumstances, without reason, justification, cause, or proof.

Translations

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