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perquisite

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The definition of a perquisite is a special privilege of your position or status, or a tip or gratuity.

(noun)

Getting to use the corporate jet is an example of a perquisite of being a CEO.
If the boss gets a new laptop every year and customarily hands his old one down to his employee, this is an example of a perquisite.

See perquisite in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

something additional to regular profit or pay, resulting from one's position or employment, esp. something customary or expected
a tip or gratuity
a privilege or benefit to which a person, institution, etc. is entitled by virtue of status, position, or the like; prerogative; right

Origin: ME perquysite < ML perquisitum, something acquired < neut. pp. of perquirere, to obtain, purchase < L, to search diligently for < per-, intens. + quaerere, to seek: see query

See perquisite in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A payment or profit received in addition to a regular wage or salary, especially a benefit expected as one's due. See Synonyms at right.
A tip; a gratuity.
Something claimed as an exclusive right: “Politics was the perquisite of the upper class” (Richard B. Sewall).

Origin:

Origin: From Middle English perquisites, property acquired otherwise than by inheritance

Origin: , from Medieval Latin perquīsītum, acquisition

Origin: , from Latin

Origin: , neuter past participle of perquīrere, to search diligently for

Origin: : per-, per-

Origin: + quaerere, to seek

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