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Simple English definitions for legal terms
gratuitous
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A quick definition of gratuitous:
Term: Gratuitous
Definition: Gratuitous means doing something for free or voluntarily. For example, if someone gives something to another person without expecting anything in return, it is considered gratuitous. However, if someone gives a gift that is worth a lot of money, they may have to pay a tax on it. Sometimes, people use the word gratuitous to describe something that is excessive or unnecessary.
A more thorough explanation:
Gratuitous means something that is done voluntarily or for free. It can also refer to something excessive or lacking in justification.
1. A friend offers to help you move to a new apartment without asking for anything in return. This is a gratuitous act of kindness.
2. A company sends you a free sample of their product in the mail. This is a gratuitous gift.
3. A landlord charges you an extra fee for a service that was not agreed upon in the lease. This is not a gratuitous charge because it was not done voluntarily or for free.
The examples illustrate the definition of gratuitous because they show actions that are done voluntarily or for free. The first two examples show acts of kindness and generosity, while the third example shows a situation where a fee was charged without justification.