le pourboire

Word: pourboire

Meaning:
In French, "pourboire" refers to a tip or gratuity given voluntarily, usually as a small amount of money handed to service workers such as waiters, taxi drivers, hotel staff, or other service providers as a token of appreciation for good service.

Components:

• "pour" = for
• "boire" = to drink
  Originally, it referred to money given "for a drink," meaning extra money given to someone, often implying hospitality and gratitude.

Explanation:
A pourboire is an extra sum of money given on top of the required payment or bill. It is customary in many cultures but not always obligatory by law. In restaurants in France, a service charge is often included in the bill, but offering a small pourboire is still appreciated.

Synonyms:

• gratification (gratification, gratuity)
• tip (English loanword often used in French too)
• prime (bonus, though used in other contexts mostly)

Antonyms:

• There isn’t a direct antonym since pourboire denotes an added payment for service. You could consider "refusal" or "no tip" as an absence, but no specific word opposes it.

Extended usage:
In some cases, pourboire can be used metaphorically to indicate an incentive or bonus given to motivate someone, not necessarily limited to hospitality. However, the primary meaning remains the gratuity given after a service.