perquisite

UK/'pә:kwizit/US

GREC2

Definitions

An extra benefit or privilege beyond regular pay

额外津贴；特殊待遇

Root Breakdown

Root-derived

per-through, thoroughly

quisseek, ask, question

-itebelonging to, product of

=perquisite

per- (thoroughly) + quis (quaerere 'seek') + -ite = 'something thoroughly sought after and obtained.' Originally a privilege one was entitled to claim beyond a wage. The clipped form 'perk' is now far more common in speech.

Root quest still carries 9 more words

Usage Guide

Register: perquisite is formal/legal; in everyday speech use perk ('the perks of the job'). Don't confuse with prerequisite (a required precondition) — they look alike but mean opposite things: a perquisite is a bonus, a prerequisite is a requirement.

Example Sentences

1.
A company car was one of the perquisites of his position.
2.
Executive perquisites came under shareholder scrutiny.

← Back to quest