gratuitousness en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree English gratuitous Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English gratuitousness From gratuitous + -ness.
Meanings
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(uncountable) The characteristic or state of being gratuitous.
Whether the utilitarian or the intuitive theory of the moral sense be upheld, it is beyond question that there are a few subtle-souled persons with whom the absolute gratuitousness of an act of reparation is an inducement to perform it; while exhortation as to its necessity would breed excuses for leaving it undone.
1894, Thomas Hardy, “For Conscience’ Sake”, in Life’s Little Ironies […], London: Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., […], →OCLC, page 27:
Synonyms
needlessness · unnecessariness
Translations (4)
fr gratuité (Translations) · ca gratuïtat (Translations) · pt gratuidade (Translations) · es gratuidad (Translations)