gratuitousness
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From gratuitous + -ness.
Noun
[edit]gratuitousness (uncountable)
- The characteristic or state of being gratuitous.
- Synonyms: needlessness, unnecessariness
- 1894, Thomas Hardy, “For Conscience’ Sake”, in Life’s Little Ironies […], London: Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., […], →OCLC, page 27:
- Whether the utilitarian or the intuitive theory of the moral sense be upheld, it is beyond question that there are a few subtle-souled persons with whom the absolute gratuitousness of an act of reparation is an inducement to perform it; while exhortation as to its necessity would breed excuses for leaving it undone.