|grəˈt(y)oōitəs|
adjective
1) uncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted : gratuitous violence.
2) given or done free of charge : solicitors provide a form of gratuitous legal advice.
DERIVATIVES
gratuitously |grəˈt(j)uədəsli| adverb
gratuitousness |grəˈt(j)uədəsnəs| noun
ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from Latin gratuitus ‘given freely, spontaneous’ + -ous