Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Donation \Do*na"tion\, n. [L. donatio; cf. F. donation.]
   1. The act of giving or bestowing; a grant.

            After donation there an absolute change and
            alienation of the property of the thing given.
      --South.

   2. That which is given as a present; that which is
      transferred to another gratuitously; a gift.

            And some donation freely to estate On the bless'd
            lovers.                               --Shak.

   3. (Law) The act or contract by which a person voluntarily
      transfers the title to a thing of which be is the owner,
      from himself to another, without any consideration, as a
      free gift. --Bouvier.

   {Donation party}, a party assembled at the house of some one,
      as of a clergyman, each one bringing some present. [U.S.]
      --Bartlett.

   Syn: Gift; present; benefaction; grant. See {Gift}.