of millions of words which have been refined and improved to develop the language that is most commonly used today. Etymology is the history behind the origin and historical development of a word and its changes in form and meaning. All words in the English Language have been derived from Latin, Greek, French and other foreign roots. Countless words have been transformed over periods of time and are among the many words that have been changed throughout time.

The word "gratuitous" has three distinct meanings. They are: 1) given or granted without return or recompense; unearned. 2) given or received without cost or obligation; free. 3) unnecessary or unwarranted; unjustified. The origin of this word came from the Latin word gratuitus, which meant "free, spontaneous, and voluntary." It was also from gratia, which meant "favor." In 1656, it was given the definition of "freely bestowed." It was later established as "uncalled for...