perquisite

[pur-kwuh-zit] /ˈpɜr kwə zɪt/
noun
1.
an incidental payment, benefit, privilege, or advantage over and above regular income, salary, or wages:
Among the president's perquisites were free use of a company car and paid membership in a country club.
2.
a gratuity or tip.
3.
something demanded or due as a particular privilege:
homage that was once the perquisite of royalty.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin perquīsītum something acquired, noun use of neuter of Latin perquīsītus (past participle of perquīrere to search everywhere for, inquire diligently). See per-, inquisitive
Can be confused
perquisite, prerequisite.
Examples from the web for perquisite
  • Going to a designer's showroom to shop wholesale is a perquisite of public life.
  • But the club has one perquisite enjoyed by few others in the state.
  • It has become less of a perquisite or a way to build client relationships and more of a job.
  • And for us, incentive compensation is not a perquisite given exclusively to senior officers and investment bankers.
  • Benchmarks identified as perquisite skills or concepts are not included as connections.
  • Appointed members shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.
British Dictionary definitions for perquisite

perquisite

/ˈpɜːkwɪzɪt/
noun
1.
an incidental benefit gained from a certain type of employment, such as the use of a company car
2.
a customary benefit received in addition to a regular income
3.
a customary tip
4.
something expected or regarded as an exclusive right
Often (informal) shortened to perk
Word Origin
C15: from Medieval Latin perquīsītum an acquired possession, from Latin perquīrere to seek earnestly for something, from per- (thoroughly) + quaerere to ask for, seek
Word Origin and History for perquisite
n.

mid-15c., "property acquired other than by inheritance," from Medieval Latin perquisitum "thing gained, profit," in classical Latin, "thing sought after," noun use of neuter past participle of perquirere "to seek, ask for," from per- "thoroughly" (see per) + quærere "to seek" (see query (v.)). For Latin vowel change, see acquisition. General meaning "fee or profit on top of regular wages" first recorded 1560s.