n. pl. boun·ties 1. Liberality in giving. 2. Something given liberally. 3. A reward, inducement, or payment, especially one given by a government for acts deemed beneficial to the state, such as killing predatory animals, growing certain crops, starting certain industries, or enlisting for military service. [Middle English bounte, from Old French bonte, from Latin bonitās, goodness, from bonus, good; see deu-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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