[gra.tu.itous] adj [L gratuitus, fr. gratus] (1656) 1 a: given unearned or without recompense b: not involving a return benefit, compensation, or consideration c: costing nothing: free
2: not called for by the circumstances: unwarranted "~ insolence" "a ~ assumption" -- gra.tu.itous.ly adv -- gra.tu.itous.ness n