[An ignorant or jocular application of L. bonus ‘good (man),’ probably intended to signify a boon, ‘a good thing’ (bonum). Prob. originally Stock Exchange slang.]
A boon or gift over and above what is normally due as remuneration to the receiver, and which is therefore something wholly ‘to the good.’
a. Money or its equivalent, given as a premium, or as an extra or irregular remuneration, in consideration of offices performed, or to encourage their performance; sometimes merely a euphemism for douceur, bribe. Hence bonus-fed adj.
1773. Macklin, Man of World, III. i. Got my share of the clothing … the contracts, the lottery tickets, and aw the political bonuses.
1802. Edin. Rev., I. 104. The bonus of one half per cent. interest will not mend the matter.
1852. McCulloch, Taxation, I. i. § 2. 68. Except their owners, none would occupy them [costly edifices] unless tempted by the offer of a considerable bonus. Ibid., III. i. 435. There have … been large deductions from the loans for prompt payment, and bonuses of various descriptions.
1886. Pall Mall Gaz., 23 Feb., 2/2. Bring a bonus-fed production from the West into competition with it.
(b.) fig.; cf. ‘premium.’
1813. Examiner, 17 May, 319/1. As a bonus … the old gentleman engaged to pay off my debts.
1813. Syd. Smith, Wks. (1867), I. 220. A bonus is given to one set of religious opinions.
1840. Carlyle, Misc. (1857), I. 291. A sort of bait and bonus to Satan.
b. An extra dividend paid to shareholders in a joint-stock company from surplus profits; a portion of the profits of an insurance company distributed, ‘pro rata,’ to the policy-holders.
1808. Scott, in Lockhart (1839), III. 134. The Editor … makes a point of every contributor receiving this Bonus.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., IV. 133. Every proprietor received as a bonus a quantity of stock equal to that which he held.
1861. Sat. Rev., 30 Nov., 553. To share, in the shape of interest and bonuses, in the profits realized.
c. A gratuity paid to workmen, masters of vessels, etc., over and above their stated salary.
1863. Fawcett, Pol. Econ., II. ix. 254. One half of the surplus profits are distributed amongst the labourers as a bonus.
d. attrib. or quasi-adj., as bonus share, year, etc.
1883. Sir G. Jessel, Law Times Rep., XLIX. 149/1. He had accepted certain bonus shares, as they are called—that is, shares which were given him free from calls.
