Hypertext Webster Gateway: "gift"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Gift
(1.) An gratuity (Prov. 19:6) to secure favour (18:16; 21:14), a
thank-offering (Num. 18:11), or a dowry (Gen. 34:12).
(2.) An oblation or proppitatory gift (2Sa 8:2,6; 1Ch 18:2,6;
2Ch 26:8; Ps. 45:12; 72:10).
(3.) A bribe to a judge to obtain a favourable verdict (Ex.
23:8; Deut. 16:19).
(4.) Simply a thing given (Matt. 7:11; Luke 11:13; Eph. 4:8);
sacrifical (Matt. 5:23, 24; 8:4); eleemosynary (Luke 21:1); a
gratuity (John 4:10; Acts 8:20). In Acts 2:38 the generic word
dorea is rendered "gift." It differs from the charisma (1 Cor.
12:4) as denoting not miraculous powers but the working of a new
spirit in men, and that spirit from God.
The giving of presents entered largely into the affairs of
common life in the East. The nature of the presents was as
various as were the occasions: food (1 Sam. 9:7; 16:20), sheep
and cattle (Gen. 32:13-15), gold (2 Sam. 18:11), jewels (Gen.
24:53), furniture, and vessels for eating and drinking (2 Sam.
17:28); delicacies, as spices, honey, etc. (1 Kings 10:25; 2
Kings 5: 22). The mode of presentation was with as much parade
as possible: the presents were conveyed by the hands of servants
(Judg. 3:18), or still better, on the backs of beasts of burden
(2 Kings 8:9). The refusal of a present was regarded as a high
indignity; and this constituted the aggravated insult noticed in
Matt. 22:11, the marriage robe having been offered and refused.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Gift \Gift\, n. [OE. gift, yift, yeft, AS. gift, fr. gifan to
give; akin to D. & G. gift, Icel. gift, gipt, Goth. gifts (in
comp.). See {Give}, v. t.]
1. Anything given; anything voluntarily transferred by one
person to another without compensation; a present; an
offering.
Shall I receive by gift, what of my own, . . . I can
command ? --Milton.
2. The act, right, or power of giving or bestowing; as, the
office is in the gift of the President.
3. A bribe; anything given to corrupt.
Neither take a gift, for a gift doth blind the eyes
of the wise. --Deut. xvi.
19.
4. Some quality or endowment given to man by God; a
pre["e]minent and special talent or aptitude; power;
faculty; as, the gift of wit; a gift for speaking.
5. (Law) A voluntary transfer of real or personal property,
without any consideration. It can be perfected only by
deed, or in case of personal property, by an actual
delivery of possession. --Bouvier. Burrill.
{Gift rope} (Naut), a rope extended to a boat for towing it;
a guest rope.
Syn: Present; donation; grant; largess; benefaction; boon;
bounty; gratuity; endowment; talent; faculty.
Usage: {Gift}, {Present}, {Donation}. These words, as here
compared, denote something gratuitously imparted to
another out of one's property. A gift is something
given whether by a superior or an inferior, and is
usually designed for the relief or benefit of him who
receives it. A present is ordinarly from an equal or
inferior, and is always intended as a compliment or
expression of kindness. Donation is a word of more
dignity, denoting, properly, a gift of considerable
value, and ordinarly a gift made either to some public
institution, or to an individual on account of his
services to the public; as, a donation to a hospital,
a charitable society, or a minister.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Gift \Gift\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Gifted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Gifting}.]
To endow with some power or faculty.
He was gifted . . . with philosophical sagacity. --I.
Taylor.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
gift
n 1: something acquired without compensation
2: natural qualities or talents [syn: {endowment}, {talent}, {natural
endowment}]
3: the act of giving [syn: {giving}]
v 1: give qualities or abilities to [syn: {endow}, {indue}, {empower},
{invest}, {endue}]
2: give as a present; make a gift of; "What will you give her
for her birthday?" [syn: {give}, {present}]
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