perquisite

[ pur-kwuh-zit ]

noun

1. 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.

2. a gratuity or tip.
3. something demanded or due as a particular privilege:

   homage that was once the perquisite of royalty.

perquisite

/ ˈpɜːkwɪzɪt /

noun

1. an incidental benefit gained from a certain type of employment, such as the use of a company car
2. a customary benefit received in addition to a regular income
3. a customary tip
4. something expected or regarded as an exclusive right

Word History and Origins

Origin of perquisite¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of perquisite¹

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

Example Sentences

Emoluments, in constitutional law, are “any perquisite, advantage, or profit arising from the possession of an office.”

From Salon

Employees that survived the layoffs were sad that their friends were no longer at the company, and that the perquisites — the little extras that made work fun — were reduced, multiple current and former workers said.

From Seattle Times

Littleness is everywhere evident among those who grab the headlines, demand recognition and deference and seek the perquisites and privileges of power by promising grandiosity in place of greatness.

From Salon

It was likely that organizing would come for Starbucks, despite the company’s perquisites, such as tuition aid at Arizona State University, one of my alma maters.

From Seattle Times

Are American employees these days more demanding of personal perquisites, less engaged with others at work and less loyal to the enterprises that pay them than they once were?

From Washington Post

Related Words

• perk