French word meaning 'free of charge' or 'gratuitously'. Used to indicate something provided without payment or done without justification.
From French 'gratuit' (free, gratuitous) plus adverbial suffix '-ement'. 'Gratuit' comes from Latin 'gratuitus' meaning 'done freely, voluntary', from 'gratus' (pleasing, grateful).
This French adverb captures a beautiful linguistic distinction - it can mean both 'free' in terms of cost and 'gratuitous' in terms of being unnecessary or unjustified. The same root 'gratus' gives us both gratitude and gratuity.
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