Bribe (&?;), n. [F. bribe a lump of
bread, scraps, leavings of meals (that are generally given to a beggar),
LL. briba scrap of bread; cf. OF. briber, brifer, to
eat gluttonously, to beg, and OHG. bilibi food.] 1.
A gift begged; a present. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. A price, reward, gift, or favor bestowed or
promised with a view to prevent the judgment or corrupt the conduct of a
judge, witness, voter, or other person in a position of trust.
Undue reward for anything against justice is a
bribe.
Hobart.
3. That which seduces; seduction;
allurement.
Not the bribes of sordid wealth can seduce to leave
these ever&?;blooming sweets.
Akenside.
Bribe, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
Bribed (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bribing.]
1. To rob or steal. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. To give or promise a reward or consideration to
(a judge, juror, legislator, voter, or other person in a position of trust)
with a view to prevent the judgment or corrupt the conduct; to induce or
influence by a bribe; to give a bribe to.
Neither is he worthy who bribes a man to vote against
his conscience.
F. W. Robertson.
3. To gain by a bribe; of induce as by a
bribe.
Bribe, v. i. 1. To
commit robbery or theft. [Obs.]
2. To give a bribe to a person; to pervert the
judgment or corrupt the action of a person in a position of trust, by some
gift or promise.
An attempt to bribe, though unsuccessful, has been
holden to be criminal, and the offender may be indicted.
Bouvier.
The bard may supplicate, but cannot bribe.
Goldsmith.
