payment English · revision 4175

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=14th century|origins=fro paiement}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈpeɪ.mənt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|paiement]], payement,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|paiement]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024) 13th century, from [[m|fro|paiier|t=to pay]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) the source of [[pay]], with the suffix [[-ment]].^(SOED 2002)^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The action of paying, the remuneration of someone with money: the 14th century in the OED and Merriam-Webster,^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) the late 14th century in Etymonline, including the repayment of a debt and the amount due.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From the 14th century it was also used figuratively, of giving someone what they deserve, a requital, punishment or reward.^(OED 1989) A sum of money paid, pay, wages, price, is from about 1449,^(OED 1989) or the mid-15th century in Etymonline's account.^(Etymonline) In the 16th century, ''to run for good payment'' meant to be accepted as true, like good coin.^(OED 1989) In Lincolnshire dialect, payment meant damage or harm: “It will take no payment”.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 14th century – the act of paying.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 14th century – figuratively, a requital.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1449 – a sum paid.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of [[pay]]ing, or the state of being paid.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An amount of money paid: ''monthly payments''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Something deserved; a reward or punishment, a [[requital]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[copayment]]

+ * [[down payment]]

+ * [[transfer payment]]

+ * [[stop payment]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[pay]]

+ * [[repayment]]

+ * [[prepayment]]

+ * [[pacify]]

+ * [[peace]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A separate payment, from 1778, is the coating of a ship's bottom with pitch or tar, from the verb pay “to smear with pitch”.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}