| gratuitous | 1. Given without an equivalent or recompense; conferred without valuable consideration; granted without pay, or without claim or merit; not required by justice. "We mistake the gratuitous blessings of Heaven for the fruits of our own industry." (L'Estrange) 2. Not called for by the circumstances; without reason, cause, or proof; adopted or asserted without any good ground; as, a gratuitous assumption. "Acts of gratuitous self-humiliation." (De Quincye) Gratu"itously, Gratu"itousness. Origin: L. Gratuitus, from gratus pleasing. See Grate, Gratis. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| gratuitous inducer | <molecular biology> A gratuitous inducer is a molecule which is structurally similar to another molecule that induces transcription for a specific product, and which can also initiate transcription for that product when the official inducer is absent. (09 Oct 1997) |