perquisite

/ˈpʌrkwəzət/

Other forms: perquisites

Perquisites are the benefits or "perks" that come along with a job. Free air travel for air hostesses? Free company car for corporate execs? Free pork for politicians? That's right, they're all perquisites.

Not to be confused with prerequisite, which happens about ninety-nine percent of the time. A prerequisite is something that must occur before something else can happen. A prerequisite of getting a job, for example, is passing the interview. Of course, for some people to take a particular job, a prerequisite is that there are suitable perquisites or privileges that come with a particular position.

Definitions of perquisite

1. noun

   an incidental benefit awarded for certain types of employment (especially if it is regarded as a right)
   synonyms: fringe benefit, perk

   types:

   apanage, appanage

   any customary and rightful perquisite appropriate to your station in life

   backsheesh, baksheesh, bakshis, bakshish, gratuity, pourboire, tip

   a relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter)

   Christmas box

   a present given at Christmas for services during the year

   type of:

   benefit

   financial assistance in time of need
2. noun

   a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
   synonyms: exclusive right, prerogative, privilege

   types:

   easement

   (law) the privilege of using something that is not your own (as using another's land as a right of way to your own land)

   privilege of the floor

   the right to be admitted onto the floor of a legislative assembly while it is in session

   public easement

   any easement enjoyed by the public in general (as the public's right to use public streets)

   right of way

   the privilege of someone to pass over land belonging to someone else

   type of:

   right

   an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature