Bonus. A premium or gratuity; something given free in addition to what is usual or stipulated.
It is not an infrequent practise on the organization of a stock company to give to purchasers of the
preferred stock as a bonus that is, without charge, a certain percentage (perhaps an equal
amount) of common stock. Sometimes when a company issues bonds it gives to purchasers a
bonus in stock.  In Great Britain when an extra dividend or dividend in excess of the regular
dividend is declared it is called a bonus.