\Boun"ty\, n.; pl. {Bounties}. [OE. bounte goodness,
kindness, F. bont['e], fr. L. bonitas, fr. bonus good, for
older duonus; cf. Skr. duvas honor, respect.]
1. Goodness, kindness; virtue; worth. [Obs.]
         Nature set in her at once beauty with bounty.
                                               --Gower.
2. Liberality in bestowing gifts or favors; gracious or
   liberal giving; generosity; munificence.
         My bounty is as boundless as the sea. --Shak.
3. That which is given generously or liberally. ``Thy morning
   bounties.'' --Cowper.
4. A premium offered or given to induce men to enlist into
   the public service; or to encourage any branch of
   industry, as husbandry or manufactures.
{Bounty jumper}, one who, during the latter part of the Civil
   War, enlisted in the United States service, and deserted
   as soon as possible after receiving the bounty. [Collog.]
{Queen Anne's bounty} (Eng. Hist.), a provision made in Queen
   Anne's reign for augmenting poor clerical livings.
Syn: Munificence; generosity; beneficence.