It remains . . . To gratify his noble service.
Shak.
Syn. -- To indulge; humor please; delight; requite; recompense. -- To
Gratify, Indulge, Humor. Gratify, is the generic term, and has
reference simply to the pleasure communicated. To indulge a person
implies that we concede something to his wishes or his weaknesses which
he could not claim, and which had better, perhaps, be spared. To humor
is to adapt ourselves to the varying moods, and, perhaps, caprices, of
others. We gratify a child by showing him the sights of a large city;
we indulge him in some extra expense on such an occasion; we humor him
when he is tired and exacting.
Grat"ing (?), n. [See 2d Grate.] 1. A partition, covering, or frame of
parallel or cross bars; a latticework resembling a window grate; as,
the grating of a prison or convent.
2. (Optics) A system of close equidistant and parallel lines lines or
bars, especially lines ruled on a polished surface, used for producing
spectra by diffraction; -- called also diffraction grating.
3. pl. (Naut.) The strong wooden lattice used to cover a hatch,
admitting light and air; also, a movable Lattice used for the flooring
of boats. [1913 Webster]
Grat"ing, a. [See Grate to rub harshy.] That grates; making a harsh
sound; harsh. -- Grat"ing*ly, adv.
Grat"ing, n. A harsh sound caused by attrition.
Gra*ti"o*lin (?), n. (Chem.) One of the essential principles of the
hedge hyssop (Gratiola officinalis).
Gra"tis (?), adv. [L., contr. fr. gratiis out of favor or kindness,
without recompense, for nothing, fr. gratia favor. See Grace.] For
nothing; without fee or recompense; freely; gratuitously.
Grat"i*tude (?), n. [F. gratitude, LL. gratitudo, from gratus
agreeable, grateful. See Grate, a.] The state of being grateful; warm
and friendly feeling toward a benefactor; kindness awakened by a favor
received; thankfulness.
The debt immense of endless gratitude.
Milton.
Gra*tu"i*tous (?) a. [L. gratuitus, from gratus pleasing. See Grate,
a., Gratis.] 1. Given without an equivalent or recompense; conferred
without valuable consideration; granted without pay, or without claim
or merit; not required by justice.
We mistake the gratuitous blessings of Heaven for the fruits of our
own industry.
L'Estrange.
2. Not called for by the circumstances; without reason, cause, or
proof; adopted or asserted without any good ground; as, a gratuitous
assumption.
Acts of gratuitous self- humiliation.
De Quincye.
-- Gra*tu"i*tous*ly, adv. -- Gra*tu"i*tous*ness, n.
Gra*tu"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Gratuities (#). [F. gratuitÈ, or LL.
gratuitas.] 1. Something given freely or without recompense; a free
gift; a present. Swift.
2. Something voluntarily given in return for a favor or service, as a
recompense or acknowledgment.
Grat"u*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Grqatulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Gratulating (?).] [L. gratulatus, p. p. of gratulari to congratulate,
fr. gratus pleasing, agreeable. See Grate, a.] To salute with
declaration of joy; to congratulate. [R.] Shak.