First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
perquisite
noun per·qui·site \ˈpər-kwə-zət\
Definition of PERQUISITE
1
: a privilege, gain, or profit incidental to regular salary or wages; especially : one expected or promised
3
: something held or claimed as an exclusive right or possession
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Origin of PERQUISITE
Middle English, property acquired by means other than inheritance, from Anglo-French perquisit, Medieval Latin perquisitum, from neuter of perquisitus, past participle of perquirere to purchase, acquire, from Latin, to search for thoroughly, from per- thoroughly + quaerere to seek
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