perquisite

From Medieval Latin perquīsītum (“something acquired for profit”).

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈpɜːkwɪzɪt/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈpɜɹkwəzɪt/
• Hyphenation: per‧qui‧site

perquisite (plural perquisites)

1. (mostly plural) Any monetary or other incidental benefit beyond salary.

   The perquisites of this job include health insurance and a performance bonus.

2. A gratuity.

   After the wonderful service that evening he didn’t hesitate in laying a substantial perquisite on the table.

3. A privilege or possession held or claimed exclusively by a certain person, group or class.

   Private jets and motor yachts are a perquisite of the rich.

   • 1962, Thomas S. Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, 3rd edition, page 160:

     Why is progress a perquisite reserved almost exclusively for the activities we call science?

• Commonly abbreviated as perq or perk.

• W. Martin; G[uy] A. J. Tops, et al. (1998) Van Dale Groot Woordenboek Engels–Nederlands [Van Dale Great Dictionary, English–Dutch], volume I, 3rd edition, Utrecht; Antwerp: Van Dale Lexicografie, →ISBN.

perquisite

1. second-person plural present indicative of perquisire
2. second-person plural imperative of perquisire
3. feminine plural of perquisito

perquīsīte

1. vocative masculine singular of perquīsītus

• perquisite in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers