Bounty \Boun"ty\, n.; pl. Bounties. [OE. bounte goodness, kindness, F. bont['e], fr. L. bonitas, fr. bonus good, for older duonus; cf. Skr. duvas honor, respect.]

1. Goodness, kindness; virtue; worth. [Obs.]

Nature set in her at once beauty with bounty. --Gower.

2. Liberality in bestowing gifts or favors; gracious or liberal giving; generosity; munificence.

My bounty is as boundless as the sea. --Shak.

3. That which is given generously or liberally. ``Thy morning bounties.'' --Cowper.

4. A premium offered or given to induce men to enlist into the public service; or to encourage any branch of industry, as husbandry or manufactures.

Bounty jumper, one who, during the latter part of the Civil War, enlisted in the United States service, and deserted as soon as possible after receiving the bounty. [Collog.]

Queen Anne's bounty (Eng. Hist.), a provision made in Queen Anne's reign for augmenting poor clerical livings.

Syn: Munificence; generosity; beneficence.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)