noun
recompense
REH-kuhm-pehns
noun
1
Payment or reward given in return for something done, lost, or suffered.
"He received a small recompense for the damage to his car."
verb
1
To pay or reward someone for something done, lost, or suffered.
"The company recompensed the victims of the factory accident."
How to Use Recompense
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCompensation or repayment for a loss, injury, or effort.
When to use it
Fairly formal; everyday speech more often uses "compensation" or "make up for."
Common pairings
fair recompense
recompense for damages
seek recompense
Word Forms
recompensed past tense, recompenses plural, recompenses singular
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He received a small _____ for the damage to his car.
Etymology
From Old French recompense, from Medieval Latin recompensa — built from re- and compensare, "to weigh against, make up for," the same root as "compensate."