Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Bribe?

\Bribe\, n. [F. bribe a lump of bread, scraps, leavings of meals (that are generally given to a beggar), LL. briba scrap of bread; cf. OF. briber, brifer, to eat gluttonously, to beg, and OHG. bilibi food.] 1. A gift begged; a present. [Obs.] --Chaucer. 2. A price, reward, gift, or favor bestowed or promised with a view to prevent the judgment or corrupt the conduct of a judge, witness, voter, or other person in a position of trust. Undue reward for anything against justice is a bribe. --Hobart. 3. That which seduces; seduction; allurement. Not the bribes of sordid wealth can seduce to leave these ever?blooming sweets. --Akenside.
\Bribe\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bribed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bribing}.] 1. To rob or steal. [Obs.] --Chaucer. 2. To give or promise a reward or consideration to (a judge, juror, legislator, voter, or other person in a position of trust) with a view to prevent the judgment or corrupt the conduct; to induce or influence by a bribe; to give a bribe to. Neither is he worthy who bribes a man to vote against his conscience. --F. W. Robertson. 3. To gain by a bribe; of induce as by a bribe.
\Bribe\, v. i. 1. To commit robbery or theft. [Obs.] 2. To give a bribe to a person; to pervert the judgment or corrupt the action of a person in a position of trust, by some gift or promise. An attempt to bribe, though unsuccessful, has been holden to be criminal, and the offender may be indicted. --Bouvier. The bard may supplicate, but cannot bribe. --Goldsmith.