dōnum

1. Donum (δωτίνη) means a present, as a gratuitous gift, by which the giver wishes to confer pleasure, like δῶρον; whereas munus, as a reward for services, whereby the giver shows his love or favor, like γέρας; lastly, largitio, as a gift from self-interested motives, which under the show of beneficence would win over and bribe, generally for political ends. Suet. Cæs. 28. Aliis captivorum millia dono afferens; that is, not merely as a loan: compare with Ner. 46. Auspicanti Sporus annulum muneri obtulit; that is, as a handsome return. Tac. H. ii. 30. Id comitatem bonitatemque faventes vocabant, quod sine modo (Vitellius) donaret sua largiretur aliena. 2. Donarium denotes particularly a gift to a temple; donativum, a military gift, or earnest-money, which the new emperor at his accession to the throne distributes among the soldiers; liberalitas, a gift which the emperor bestowed, generally on a poor nobleman, for his support. (iv. 142.)