Definition of: gift

(gift) noun
1. That which is given; a donation; present.
2. The act, right, or power of giving.
3. A natural endowment; aptitude; talent.
4. Obs. A bribe; also, an offering.
—v.t.
1. To bestow or confer upon.
2. To endow with a talent or faculty. [OE <gifan give] Synonyms (noun): benefaction, bequest, boon, bounty, bribe, donation, grant, gratuity, largess, present, tip. A gift is that which is voluntarily bestowed without expectation of return or compensation. Gift is almost always used in the good sense, bribe is the evil sense to signify payment for a dishonorable service under the semblance of a gift. A benefaction is a charitable gift, generally of large amount, and viewed as of enduring value, as an endowment for a college. A donation is something, perhaps of great, seldom of trivial value, given to a cause or to a person representing a cause; as, a donation to a charity. A gratuity is usually of moderate value and is always given as of favor, not of right; as, a gratuity to a waiter; commonly called a tip. Largess is archaic for a bountiful gratuity, usually to be distributed among many, as among the heralds at ancient tournaments. A present is a gift of friendship, or conciliation, and given as to an equal or a superior. A boon is something that has been desired or craved or perhaps asked, or something freely given that meets some great desire. A grant is commonly considerable in amount and given by public authority; as, a grant of public lands for a college. See FAVOR, SUBSIDY. Antonyms: compensation, earnings, guerdon, penalty, remuneration, wages.