retribute
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Latin retributus, past participle of retribuo (“I retribute”); prefix re- + tribuo (“I bestow, assign, pay”). See tribute.
Pronunciation[edit]
Verb[edit]
retribute (third-person singular simple present retributes, present participle retributing, simple past and past participle retributed)
- To pay back; to give in return, as payment, reward, or punishment; to requite.
- to retribute someone for their kindness
- to retribute just punishment to a criminal
- 1691, [John Locke], Some Considerations of the Consequences of the Lowering of Interest, and Raising the Value of Money. […], London: […] Awnsham and John Churchill, […], published 1692, →OCLC:
- retribute to him, so far as calm reason and conscience dictate, what is proportionate to his transgression
Related terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
References[edit]
- “retribute”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
Anagrams[edit]
Latin[edit]
Participle[edit]
retribūte