perquisite

plural perquisites · alternative obsolete parquisite

1. in pluralAny monetary or other incidental benefit beyond salary.

   The perquisites of this job include health insurance and a performance bonus.

   1 more example

   The tithe properly belongs to the Lord who, in turn, assigns it to the Levites as payments for their sanctuary labors. Thus levitical and priestly perquisites are gifts from God.

   2001, David L. Lieber, Jules Harlow, Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary, page 873

2. A gratuity.

   After the wonderful service that evening he didn’t hesitate in laying a substantial perquisite on the table.

   1 more example

   One voyage, I recollect, I tipped him a live sheep out of the remnant of my sea-stock: not that I wanted him to do anything for me—he couldn’t, you know—but because his childlike belief in the sacred right to perquisites quite touched my heart.

   1900', Joseph Conrad, Lord Jim, ch 5

3. A privilege or possession held or claimed exclusively by a certain person, group or class.

   Private jets and motor yachts are perquisites of the rich.

   1 more example

   Why is progress a perquisite reserved almost exclusively for the activities we call science?

   1962, Thomas S. Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, 3rd edition, page 160