perquisite

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin perquisitum (something acquired for profit).

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpɜrkwəzɪt/

Noun

perquisite (plural perquisites)

1. (mostly plural) Any monetary or other incidental benefit beyond salary.

   The perquisites of this job include health insurance and a performance bonus.

2. A gratuity.

   After the wonderful service that evening he didn’t hesitate in laying a substantial perquisite on the table.

3. A privilege or possession held or claimed exclusively by a certain person, group or class.

   Private jets and motor yachts are a perquisite of the rich.

Derived terms

• commonly abbreviated as perq or perk.

Translations

benefit beyond salary

• Dutch: extralegaal (nl) voordeel (nl) n, supplementair (nl) inkomen (nl) n
• Finnish: etuus (fi)
• French: gratification (fr) f

• Portuguese: benefício (pt) m
• Spanish: beneficios (es) m pl

gratuity

• Dutch: fooi (nl) f, drinkgeld (nl) n, extra (nl) m (often in the diminutive)
• Finnish: juomaraha (fi), palveluraha (fi)

• French: don (fr) m, cadeau (fr) m

privilege

• Dutch: voorrecht (nl) n, alleenrecht (nl) n
• Finnish: etuoikeus (fi)

• French: privilège (fr) m
• Spanish: privilegio (es) m

References

• prof. dr. W. Martin, prof. dr. G.A.J. Tops et.al., Groot Woordenboek Engels–Nederlands, Van Dale Lexicografie, Utrecht/Antwerpen, 1998 [English–Dutch dictionary]

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Italian

Verb

perquisite

1. second-person plural present indicative of perquisire
2. second-person plural imperative of perquisire
3. Female Plural of perquisito

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Latin

Participle

perquīsīte

1. vocative masculine singular of perquīsītus