| 释义 |
bribe
I. \ˈbrīb\ verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Middle English briben, from Middle French briber, brimber to beg, from bribe, brimbe, n.
transitive verb
1. obsolete : rob, steal, purloin, extort
2.
a. : to give or promise a bribe to : suborn by bribery
< bribed to vote against a certain candidate >
b. : to induce or influence as if by bribery
< bribe a cat with a saucer of milk to come indoors >
intransitive verb
: to give a bribe to a person : practice bribery
< a man not above bribing to gain his end >
II. noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English, something stolen, from Middle French bribe, brimbe, piece of bread given to a beggar, scrap
1. : a price, reward, gift, or favor bestowed or promised with a view to pervert the judgment or corrupt the conduct especially of a person in a position of trust (as a public official)
2. : something that serves to induce or influence to a given line of conduct
< using bribes of candy to get a small child to go to bed >
< bribes offered to new readers ranged from cameras to flannel trousers — E.S.Turner > |