gratisadv.adj.
/ˈɡreɪtɪs//ˈɡratɪs//ˈɡrɑːtɪs/ A. adv.† 2. Without a reason or due cause; unjustifiably, gratuitously. Obsolete.
1. † b. Scot-free, without penalty. Obsolete. rare.
a. For nothing; freely, without any return made or expected; without charge, cost, or pay; gratuitously. free gratis (see free adv. 2).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > [adverb] > freely
gratis1477
thankfully1552
gratuitlya1586
baksheesh1917
mahala1941
1477 T. Norton Ordinall of Alchimy Introd., in E. Ashmole Theatrum Chem. Britannicum (1652) 3 Heaven doth all things gratis give.
a1542 T. Wyatt Coll. Poems (1969) 116 The justice that so his promesse complysyth..That gratis his graces to men doth depert.
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. L8v Hee may sometimes..preach the word of God abroad in other places, but then he ought to doe it gratis.
a1591 H. Smith Gods Arrowe (1593) v. Q If they be Iustified gratis, freely (as hee affirmeth), then are they Iustified withoot any desert of theirs.
1659 J. Milton Considerations touching Hirelings 12 Unless every minister were, as St. Paul, contented to teach gratis.
1680 J. Dryden Kind Keeper i. i. 6 I do all gratis, and am most commonly a loser.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver II. iv. xi. 173 They were sure the Captain would carry me gratis to Lisbon.
1837 A. Alison Hist. Europe from French Revol. VI. xlvii. 364 In the evening the theatres were all opened gratis.
1848 J. S. Mill Princ. Polit. Econ. I. i. i. §4. 36 No one will give anything for that which can be obtained gratis.
ΚΠ
1601 W. Parry New Disc. Trauels Sir A. Sherley 30 So the wench went away gratis with the money.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > dueness or propriety > moral impropriety > [adverb] > in unwarranted or unjustifiable manner > gratuitously
gratis1582
officiously1598
gratuitously1697
1582 Bible (Rheims) John xv. 25 They hated me gratis.
1621 R. Montagu Diatribæ Hist. Tithes ii. 332 But grant we that which you assume gratis..yet [etc.].
1661 R. Boyle Some Consider. Style of Script. (1675) 103 That this may not appear to be said gratis let us consider, that [etc.].
1676 M. Hale Contempl. Moral & Divine i. 466 Exposing my body gratis to unnecessary dangers.
1698 W. Harris & J. Keill tr. N. Lémery Course Chym. (ed. 3) i. xviii. 422 Perhaps it will be said, I do here suppose gratis that the Oil of Vitriol does contain fiery particles.
1805 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. V. 356 The vouchee came in gratis before the writ of summons.
B. adj.
1. Given or done for nothing; free, gratuitous.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > charges > freedom from charge > [adjective]
shot-freelOE
freea1225
costless1509
scot-free1542
free cost1586
chargeless1599
cost-free1602
gratuitous1656
gratis1659
pro deo1856
comp1875
tariffless1891
uncharged1894
buckshee1915
freebie1937
mahala1977
value-added1982
1659 T. Pecke Parnassi Puerperium 64 No Chinke no Drink; Nothing is Gratis now.
1664 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders (new ed.) i. sig. b3v One of the publick lectures (which as all the other were gratis).
1717 A. Ramsay Elegy Lucky Wood 38 She had the gate sae well to please, With gratis beef, dry fish, or cheese.
1765 S. Foote Commissary ii. 39 You will permit me to expunge the obligation by an instantaneous and gratis lecture on that species of eloquence peculiar to ladies.
1767 ‘Coriat Junior’ Another Traveller! I. 143 The third [table being] for gratis-passengers and servants.
1767 ‘Coriat Junior’ Another Traveller! I. 262 The British-museum is the only gratis-shew in England.
1833 L. Ritchie Wanderings by Loire 204 He..treated the people to gratis representations of mysteries.
1869 T. Carlyle in Lett. & Memorials J. W. Carlyle (1883) III. 250 His gratis practice of medicine.
1879 H. Spencer Data of Ethics 255 Sympathetic gratification which costs the receiver nothing, but is a gratis addition to his egoistic gratifications.
2. Exempting from payment. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > charges > freedom from charge > [adjective] > exempting from payment
gratis1752
1752 J. Louthian Form of Process (ed. 2) 45 As also gratis Warrands are granted to Prisoners, That Clerks, Macers and others, may serve without Fee or Reward.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
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adv.adj.1477