Dictionary-Definition.com :: Bribe definition

Definition of 'bribe'

noun

Payment made to a person in a position of trust to corrupt his judgment [syn: bribe, payoff]

verb

Make illegal payments to in exchange for favors or influence; "This judge can be bought" [syn: bribe, corrupt, buy, grease one's palms]

From: GCIDE

Bribe \Bribe\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bribed; p. pr. & vb. n. Bribing.]
1. To rob or steal. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
2. To give or promise a reward or consideration to (a judge, juror, legislator, voter, or other person in a position of trust) with a view to prevent the judgment or corrupt the conduct; to induce or influence by a bribe; to give a bribe to. [1913 Webster]
Neither is he worthy who bribes a man to vote against his conscience. --F. W. Robertson. [1913 Webster]
3. To gain by a bribe; of induce as by a bribe. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Bribe \Bribe\, v. i.
1. To commit robbery or theft. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
2. To give a bribe to a person; to pervert the judgment or corrupt the action of a person in a position of trust, by some gift or promise. [1913 Webster]
An attempt to bribe, though unsuccessful, has been holden to be criminal, and the offender may be indicted. --Bouvier. [1913 Webster]
The bard may supplicate, but cannot bribe. --Goldsmith. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Bribe \Bribe\ (br[imac]b), n. [F. bribe a lump of bread, scraps, leavings of meals (that are generally given to a beggar), LL. briba scrap of bread; cf. OF. briber, brifer, to eat gluttonously, to beg, and OHG. bilibi food.]
1. A gift begged; a present. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
2. A price, reward, gift, or favor bestowed or promised with a view to prevent the judgment or corrupt the conduct of a judge, witness, voter, or other person in a position of trust. [1913 Webster]
Undue reward for anything against justice is a bribe. --Hobart. [1913 Webster]
3. That which seduces; seduction; allurement. [1913 Webster]
Not the bribes of sordid wealth can seduce to leave these ever?blooming sweets. --Akenside. [1913 Webster]

Bribe None to be taken; "for the gift maketh open eyes blind, and perverteth the cause of the righteous" (Ex. 23:8, literally rendered).