recompense

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɹɛkəmˌpɛns/^[1]

Etymology

It comes from Middle English recompensen,^[2][3][4] from Middle French recompenser,^{[2][3][4][5][6]} from Late Latin recompensare,^{[2][3][4][5][6]} from Latin re- (“again”) + compenso (“to balance out, compensate”).^{[2][3][4][5][6]} Latin compensare is literally “to weigh together”, from pendere “to weigh; to pay”.^[4] It is related to compensate.^[2][5][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

As a verb, to redress or provide an equivalent (before 1400);^[3][4] as a noun, payment, reward or amends (about 1420).^[3][7]

Semantic evolution

By the early 15th century the verb meant to reward or repay someone for services, losses or wrongs (1422).^[3][4][7] The noun has covered amends for a wrong (about 1420), compensation for a loss (1508), payment for services (1500–20) and, less often, retribution (1538).^[7][4] The OED notes that the spelling -ence was more common than -ense until the 19th century.^[4]

Timeline

• before 1400 – verb, to redress.^[3][4]
• about 1420 – noun, amends or reward.^[3][7]
• 1422 – verb, to reward or repay.^[3][7]
• 1508 – noun, compensation for a loss.^[7]
• 1538 – noun, retribution.^[7]

Modern meaning

Verb

1. To give compensation to someone, as for a service or a loss; to repay or reward.
2. To make up or pay for something, such as damage or injury.
3. To return in kind; to requite.

Noun

1. Amends made for damage, injury or loss.
2. Payment in return for something, such as a service; a reward.

Word family

• recompensable
• recompenser
• unrecompensed

Related words

• compensate
• recompensate
• pension
• pound
• ponder

Usage notes

Random House lists reimburse and recoup as synonyms of the verb, and payment, amends, indemnification and satisfaction of the noun, and refers to its discussion at reward.^[6]

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Barnhart, Robert K., ed. (1995), The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology, New York: HarperCollins
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harper, Douglas, Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ a b c d Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
6. ^ a b c d Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1999), 2nd ed., New York: Random House
7. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press