noun / verb
bribe
BRYBE/braɪb/
Something offered to dishonestly influence someone's actions, or the act of offering it.
The owner offers the inspector a bribe beneath the counter.
Etymology
Old French bribe meant a morsel of bread given to a beggar, hence a gift. English used it for a stolen thing before the meaning shifted to a gift offered to influence someone corruptly.
In context
each offered the judge a bribe to induce him to decide in her favor
More examples
- They tried to bribe the inspector.
- An envelope of cash served as a bribe.
- He was caught bribing a witness.
Forms
bribe · bribes · bribed · bribing
bribery noun — dishonestly influencing someone through payment
Similar words
- payoff
- A payment intended to secure cooperation, often dishonestly.
- inducement
- Anything offered to influence action, not necessarily improper.