gratuitous
(adjective) without cause; “a gratuitous insult”
gratuitous, needless, uncalled-for
(adjective) unnecessary and unwarranted; “a strikers’ tent camp...was burned with needless loss of life”
complimentary, costless, free, gratis, gratuitous
(adjective) costing nothing; “complimentary tickets”; “free admission”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
gratuitous (comparative more gratuitous, superlative most gratuitous)
Given freely; unearned.
unjustified or unnecessary; not called for by the circumstances
Synonym: uncalled-for
(given freely)
• free
• gratis
(not called for by the circumstances)
• unjustified
• groundless
• baseless
• unfounded
• unnecessary
• onerous
• superfluous
Source: Wiktionary
Gra*tu"i*tous a. Etym: [L. gratuitus, from gratus pleasing. See Grate, a., Gratis.]
1. Given without an equivalent or recompense; conferred without valuable consideration; granted without pay, or without claim or merit; not required by justice. We mistake the gratuitous blessings of Heaven for the fruits of our own industry. L'Estrange.
2. Not called for by the circumstances; without reason, cause, or proof; adopted or asserted without any good ground; as, a gratuitous assumption. Acts of gratuitous self-humiliation. De Quincye.
– Gra*tu"i*tous*ly, adv.
– Gra*tu"i*tous*ness, n.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
16 June 2025
(noun) raspberry of China and Japan having pale pink flowers grown for ornament and for the small red acid fruits
The Boston Tea Party helped popularize coffee in America. The hefty tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773 resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. In the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it became patriotic to sip java instead of tea. The Civil War made the drink more pervasive. Coffee helped energize tired troops, and drinking it became an expression of freedom.
