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bak·sheesh

(băkshēsh′, băk-shēsh)

n. pl. baksheesh

A gratuity, tip, or bribe paid to expedite service, especially in the Near East.

[Persian bakhshish, present, from Middle Persian bakhshishn, from bakhshīdan, bakhsh-, to give presents, from Avestan bakhsh-; see bhag- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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