v.
- give (someone) something in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury incurred.
-
(compensate for)
reduce or counteract (something undesirable) by exerting an opposite force or effect.
Derivative
- compensative adj.
- compensator n.
- compensatory adj.
Etymology
C17 (earlier (ME) as compensation): from L. compensat-, compensare ‘weigh against’.