I. ˈbōnəs noun
( -es )
Etymology: Latin, good — more at bounty
1. : something given or received that is over and above what is expected
as a bonus she got the day off from school
a bonus of five days of beautiful weather
specifically : a gift given (as to a person) for complying with the donor's wishes
2.
a. Britain : dividend 1c
b.
(1) : money or an equivalent given in addition to the usual compensation
surplus profits distributed among the workers as a bonus
(2) : the payment made by the employer under a bonus system
c. : a premium (as of stock) given by a corporation to a purchaser of its securities, to a promoter, or to an employee in recognition of his services
d.
(1) : a government subsidy to an industry
the mills closed down because the city did not provide a $100,000 bonus to keep them operating — American Guide Series: Michigan
(2) : a government payment to all ex-servicemen of a war often viewed as compensation for decreased earnings during time spent in the service
e. : a sum in excess of salary given a baseball player for signing with a team
a bonus pitcher
3. : a sum of money in addition to interest or royalties charged for the granting of a loan, for the granting of a charter or other privilege to a company, or for the lease or transfer of property (as oil lands)
4.
a. : a score in a card game that does not count toward winning: as
(1) : the score in bridge for honors, for making a doubled or redoubled contract, for a slam, or for winning the rubber — called also premium
(2) : the score in gin rummy for each hand won or game won
b. : an extra amount received in poker for holding an unusually good hand (as a straight flush) — called also premium, royalty
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
: to give a bonus to
bonusing each family having more than three children
: subsidize
the enterprise … was heavily bonused with land and a certain amount of cash — B.K.Sandwell