perquisite

[ pur-kwuh-zit ]
/ ˈpɜr kwə zɪt /

noun

an incidental payment, benefit, privilege, or advantage over and above regular income, salary, or wages: Among the president's perquisites were free use of a company car and paid membership in a country club.
a gratuity or tip.
something demanded or due as a particular privilege: homage that was once the perquisite of royalty.

Origin of perquisite

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin perquīsītum something acquired, noun use of neuter of Latin perquīsītus (past participle of perquīrere to search everywhere for, inquire diligently). See per-, inquisitive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH perquisite

perquisite prerequisite

Example sentences from the Web for perquisite

British Dictionary definitions for perquisite

perquisite
/ (ˈpɜːkwɪzɪt) /

noun

an incidental benefit gained from a certain type of employment, such as the use of a company car
a customary benefit received in addition to a regular income
a customary tip
something expected or regarded as an exclusive right
Often (informal) shortened to: perk

Word Origin for perquisite

C15: from Medieval Latin perquīsītum an acquired possession, from Latin perquīrere to seek earnestly for something, from per- (thoroughly) + quaerere to ask for, seek