gratuitously
English
WOTD – 14 October 2009
Etymology
From gratuitous + -ly.
Pronunciation
Adverb
gratuitously (comparative more gratuitously, superlative most gratuitously)
- 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.
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- In a manner not demanded by the circumstances, without reason, justification, cause, or proof.
- 1881, Samuel Tolver Preston, “On Action at a Distance”, Philosophical Magazine 15:38-39
- Secondly, Mr. Browne concludes, apparently rather gratuitously, on page 441 as follows […]
- 1881, Samuel Tolver Preston, “On Action at a Distance”, Philosophical Magazine 15:38-39
Translations
freely; in the manner of a gift
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in a manner not demanded by the circumstances
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Translations to be checked
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