Per"qui*site (?), n. [L. perquisitum, fr. perquisitus, p.p. of perquirere to ask for diligently; per + quaerere to seek. See Per-, and Quest.]

1.

Something gained from a place or employment over and above the ordinary salary or fixed wages for services rendered; especially, a fee allowed by law to an officer for a specific service.

The pillage of a place taken by storm was regarded as the perquisite of the soldiers. Prescott.

The best perquisites of a place are the advantages it gaves a man of doing good. Addison.

2. pl. Law

Things gotten by a man's own industry, or purchased with his own money, as opposed to things which come to him by descent.

Mozley & W.

© Webster 1913.