gratuitous
Part of speech: adverb
Gratuitously.
Part of speech: noun
Gratuitousness.
Part of speech: adjective
Given without recompense, as a benefit, or without provocation, as an insult.
Usage examples "gratuitous":
- There is no gratuitous distribution of victuals. - "In-Darkest-England-and-the-Way-Out", Booth, William.
- The idea that Galileo had thus cast ridicule upon his friend and patron is no doubt a gratuitous and insulting libel: there is no telling whether or not Urban believed it, but certainly his countenance changed to Galileo henceforward, and whether overruled by his Cardinals, or actuated by some other motive, his favour was completely withdrawn. - "Pioneers of Science", Oliver Lodge.
- I have long wished for a proper occasion to have the gratuitous opinion in Marbury v. - "Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson", Thomas Jefferson.