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bonus

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The definition of a bonus is anything given beyond the required amount.

(noun)

When you have been begging your parents for a dog and you expected to get one dog and instead you got two, the second dog is an example of a bonus.
When you are given an extra $100 by your boss above-and-beyond your salary or expected commission because you did a good job, this is an example of a bonus.

See bonus in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. bonuses

anything given in addition to the customary or required amount; specif.,

payment over and above salary given to an employee as an incentive or reward
a government payment to military veterans
Brit. a dividend to insurance policyholders; also, an extra dividend to stockholders

Origin: L, good < OL dvonus < IE *du-, var. of base *deu-, to venerate > OE (lang)twidig, (long) granted, L beare, pp. beatus, to make happy

See bonus in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. bo·nus·es

Something given or paid in addition to what is usual or expected.
a. A sum of money or an equivalent given to an employee in addition to the employee's usual compensation.
b. A sum of money in addition to salary that is given to a professional athlete for signing up with a team.
A subsidy from a government to an industry.
A sum of money paid by a government to a war veteran.
A premium, as of stock, that is given by a corporation to another party, such as a purchaser of its securities.
A sum of money that is paid by a corporation in excess of interest or royalties charged for the granting of a privilege or a loan to that corporation.
Basketball An additional free throw awarded to a player who has been fouled when the opposing team has committed more than a specified number of fouls during a period of play.

Origin:

Origin: From Latin, good; see deu-² in Indo-European roots

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