perquisite Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an incidental benefit awarded for certain types of employment (especially if it is regarded as a right)
    perk; fringe benefit.
    • a limousine is one of the fringe benefits of the job
  2. noun a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
    privilege; exclusive right; prerogative.
    • suffrage was the prerogative of white adult males

WordNet

Per"qui*site noun
Etymology
L. perquisitum, fr. perquisitus, p.p. of perquirere to ask for diligently; per + quaerere to seek. See Per-, and Quest.
Definitions
  1. Something gained from a place or employment over and above the ordinary salary or fixed wages for services rendered; especially, a fee allowed by law to an officer for a specific service.
    The pillage of a place taken by storm was regarded as the perquisite of the soldiers. Prescott.
    The best perquisites of a place are the advantages it gaves a man of doing good. Addison.
  2. pl. (Law) Things gotten by a man's own industry, or purchased with his own money, as opposed to things which come to him by descent. Mozley & W.

Webster 1913