bribe

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to make illegal payments to in exchange for favors or influence

   I bribed the cops to get out of the ticket.

2. 2
   noun

   Something (usually money) given in exchange for influence or as an inducement to breaking the law.

   c. 1613-1625, Henry Hobart, Yardly v. Ellill Undue reward for anything against justice is a bribe.

3. 3
   noun

   That which seduces; seduction; allurement.

   Not the bribes of sordid wealth can seduce to leave these everblooming sweets.

4. 4
   verb

   To give a bribe to; specifically, to ask a person to do something against their original will, in exchange for some type of reward or relief from potential trouble.

   She was accused of trying to bribe the jury into making false statements.

5. 5
   verb

   To gain by a bribe; to induce as by a bribe.

   to bribe somebody's compliance

6. 6
   noun

   payment made to a person in a position of trust to corrupt his judgment

7. 7
   noun

   The act of offering or paying such a payment: an act of bribery.

Etymology

From Middle English bribe, from Old French briber (“go begging”), from the noun bribe (“a gift”).