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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.] [1913 Webster] 1. Goodness, kindness; virtue; worth. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Nature set in her at once beauty with bounty. --Gower. [1913 Webster] 2. Liberality in bestowing gifts or favors; gracious or liberal giving; generosity; munificence. [1913 Webster] My bounty is as boundless as the sea. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 3. That which is given generously or liberally. "Thy morning bounties." --Cowper. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] Syn: Munificence; generosity; beneficence. [1913 Webster]