gratuitously

From gratuitous +‎ -ly.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɡɹəˈtjuː.ɪ.təs.li/, /ɡɹəˈtʃuː.ɪ.təs.li/

  • Audio (Southern England):

    (file)

• (US) IPA^(key): /ɡɹəˈtu.ə.təs.li/, /ɡɹəˈtju.ə.təs.li/

gratuitously (comparative more gratuitously, superlative most gratuitously)

1. Freely; in the manner of a gift, without being earned.
   • 1854, Henry David Thoreau, chapter 1, in Walden:

     We should feed and clothe him gratuitously sometimes, and recruit him with our cordials, before we judge of him.

2. In a manner not demanded by the circumstances, without reason, justification, cause, or proof.
   • 1881, Samuel Tolver Preston, “On Action at a Distance”, in Philosophical Magazine, 15:38-39:

     Secondly, Mr. Browne concludes, apparently rather gratuitously, on page 441 as follows […]