Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BRIBE, n. [Ir. breab. In Pers. پَاَره parah, is a bribe, a half, piece, bit, segment, a morsel. Fr. bribe, a piece of bread.]

1. A price, reward, gift or favor bestowed or promised with a view to pervert the judgment, or corrupt the conduct of a judge, witness or other person. A bribe is a consideration given or promised to a person, to induce him to decide a cause, give testimony, or perform some act contrary to what he knows to be truth, justice or rectitude. It is not used in a good sense unless in familiar language.
2. That which seduces. Not the bribes of sordid wealth can seduce to leave these ever blooming sweets. – Akenside.