Wordnet 3.0
NOUN (1)
1.
software that is available free of charge;
may be distributed for evaluation with a fee requested for additional features or a manual etc.;
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
shareware
n 1: software that is available free of charge; may be
distributed for evaluation with a fee requested for
additional features or a manual etc.
The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):
shareware
/sheir'weir/, n.
A kind of freeware for which the author requests some payment, usually in
the accompanying documentation files or in an announcement made by the
software itself. Such payment may or may not buy additional support or
functionality. See also careware, charityware, crippleware, FRS,
guiltware, postcardware, and -ware; compare payware.
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):
shareware
/sheir'weir/ Software that, like freeware, can
be usually obtained (downloaded) and redistributed for free,
but most often is under copyright and does legally require a
payment in the EULA, at least beyond the evaluation period
or for commercial applications. This payment, as well as
fulfilling the user's legal obligations, may buy additional
support, documentation, or functionality. Generally, source
code for shareware programs is not available. Shareware is
sometimes also nagware and/or crippleware, which muddles
the term and is frowned upon in the community.
See also careware, charityware, guiltware,
postcardware, and -ware; compare payware.
[Jargon File]
(2002-01-30)