perquisite [ˈpɜrkwəzɪt] n.
1.) A payment or profit received in addition to a regular wage or salary, especially a benefit expected as one's due.
2.) A tip; a gratuity.
3.) Something claimed as an exclusive right (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language).
Etymology: From Middle English perquisites, property acquired otherwise than by inheritance, from Medieval Latin perquisitum, acquisition, from Latin, neuter past participle of perquirere, to search diligently for: per- + quaerere, to seek.
"Give me glory! What greater glory could I win
than to give my own brother a decent burial?
These citizens here would all agree,
if their lips weren't locked in fear.
Lucky tyrants—the perquisites of power!
Ruthless power to do and say whatever pleases them" (Antigone by Sophocles, Robert Fagles (trans.), 1982).
8 comments:
What a great word!
Good one. Always perquisite your waiter.
The origin of our modern work 'perk'
Perquisites are always welcomed on my blog! ;)
It sounds like a fruit. Or an awkward way of saying Percocet.
The third definition seems almost contradictory to the first two.
This sounds like a powerful word. Very nice.
not to be confused with prerequisite.
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