2006-09-30 06:03:21 · 6 answers · asked by littlecatgirl811 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
"The man made a gratuitous comment on the woman's appearance."
The meaning of gratuitous being 'given freely', 'unwarranted' 'uncalled for'
Often the word is used in a derogatory manner so that in the sentence above the inference might be that the man's remark was unflattering!
2006-09-30 06:18:47 · answer #1 · answered by avian 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at Douglas Adams' book 'Life, the Universe & Everything'. In one of them there is a man wandering around a party with an award called a Rory for 'The Most Gratuitous Use Of The Word "F**k" In A Serious Screenplay' (mentioned in Chapter 22 - on p114 in my copy) Excellent set of books & sadly missed author :-(
2006-09-30 08:50:33 · answer #2 · answered by histrel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're watching a movie and there's lots of sex in it that doesn't really have anything to do with the story line you could say "That movie has a lot of gratuitous sex." Or if you know someone who uses the F word a lot, you could say "Watch your gratuitous swearing."
2006-09-30 06:17:49 · answer #3 · answered by Jennifer F 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That was a very gratuitous insult, why would you say that to me?
being without apparent reason, cause, or justification
2006-09-30 06:14:13 · answer #4 · answered by go green 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how about this " The actions of our President are very gratuitous when it comes down to war against terror."
2006-09-30 06:10:25 · answer #5 · answered by Cassandra J 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gra·tu·i·tous
ADJECTIVE:
1. Given or granted without return or recompense; unearned.
2. Given or received without cost or obligation; free.
3. Unnecessary or unwarranted; unjustified: gratuitous criticism.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin grtutus; see gwer- 2 in Indo-European roots
OTHER FORMS:
gra·tui·tous·ly (Adverb), gra·tui·tous·ness (Noun)
2006-09-30 06:14:21 · answer #6 · answered by thepenartist 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋