ˈbau̇ntē, -ti noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English bounte, from Old French bonté, bunté, from Latin bonitat-, bonitas, from bonus good (from Old Latin dvenos ) + -itat-, -itas -ity; akin to Old English lang twīdig granted for a long time, Middle High German zwīden to grant, Old Irish den strong, Sanskrit duvas gift, reverence
1. obsolete : goodness , kindness , virtue
2. : liberality in bestowing gifts or favors : gracious or liberal giving : generosity , munificence
3. : something that is given generously or liberally
4. : yield especially of a crop
5. : a reward, premium, or subsidy especially when offered or given by a government: as
a. : an extra allowance to induce entry into the armed services
b. : a grant to encourage an industry
c. : a grant of land to encourage settlement
d. : a payment to encourage the destruction of noxious animals
a bounty on wildcats