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2. To requite; to recompense. [Obs.]

It remains . . . To gratify his noble service.

Shak.

Syn. -- To indulge; humor please; delight; requite; recompense. -- To Gratify, Indulge, Humor. Gratify, is the generic term, and has reference simply to the pleasure communicated. To indulge a person implies that we concede something to his wishes or his weaknesses which he could not claim, and which had better, perhaps, be spared. To humor is to adapt ourselves to the varying moods, and, perhaps, caprices, of others. We gratify a child by showing him the sights of a large city; we indulge him in some extra expense on such an occasion; we humor him when he is tired and exacting.

Grat"ing (?), n. [See 2d Grate.] 1. A partition, covering, or frame of parallel or cross bars; a latticework resembling a window grate; as, the grating of a prison or convent.

2. (Optics) A system of close equidistant and parallel lines lines or bars, especially lines ruled on a polished surface, used for producing spectra by diffraction; -- called also diffraction grating.

3. pl. (Naut.) The strong wooden lattice used to cover a hatch, admitting light and air; also, a movable Lattice used for the flooring of boats. [1913 Webster]

Grat"ing, a. [See Grate to rub harshy.] That grates; making a harsh sound; harsh. -- Grat"ing*ly, adv.

Grat"ing, n. A harsh sound caused by attrition.

Gra*ti"o*lin (?), n. (Chem.) One of the essential principles of the hedge hyssop (Gratiola officinalis).

Gra"tis (?), adv. [L., contr. fr. gratiis out of favor or kindness, without recompense, for nothing, fr. gratia favor. See Grace.] For nothing; without fee or recompense; freely; gratuitously.

Grat"i*tude (?), n. [F. gratitude, LL. gratitudo, from gratus agreeable, grateful. See Grate, a.] The state of being grateful; warm and friendly feeling toward a benefactor; kindness awakened by a favor received; thankfulness.

The debt immense of endless gratitude.

Milton.

Gra*tu"i*tous (?) a. [L. gratuitus, from gratus pleasing. See Grate, a., Gratis.] 1. Given without an equivalent or recompense; conferred without valuable consideration; granted without pay, or without claim or merit; not required by justice.

We mistake the gratuitous blessings of Heaven for the fruits of our own industry.

L'Estrange.

2. Not called for by the circumstances; without reason, cause, or proof; adopted or asserted without any good ground; as, a gratuitous assumption.

Acts of gratuitous self- humiliation.

De Quincye.

-- Gra*tu"i*tous*ly, adv. -- Gra*tu"i*tous*ness, n.

Gra*tu"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Gratuities (#). [F. gratuitÈ, or LL. gratuitas.] 1. Something given freely or without recompense; a free gift; a present. Swift.

2. Something voluntarily given in return for a favor or service, as a recompense or acknowledgment.

Grat"u*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Grqatulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Gratulating (?).] [L. gratulatus, p. p. of gratulari to congratulate, fr. gratus pleasing, agreeable. See Grate, a.] To salute with declaration of joy; to congratulate. [R.] Shak.

Grat"u*late (?), a. Worthy of gratulation. [Obs.]

There's more behind that is more gratulate.

Shak.

Grat"u*la"tion (?), n. [L. gratulatio.] The act of gratulating or felicitating; congratulation.