Com"pen*sate (? or ?; 277), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Compensated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Compensating.] [L.
compensatus, p. p. of compensare, prop., to weigh
several things with one another, to balance with one another,
verb intens. fr. compendere. See Compendium.]
1. To make equal return to; to remunerate;
to recompense; to give an equivalent to; to requite suitably; as,
to compensate a laborer for his work, or a merchant for
his losses.
2. To be equivalent in value or effect
to; to counterbalance; to make up for; to make amends
for.
The length of the night and the dews thereof do
compensate the heat of the day.
Bacon.
The pleasures of life do not compensate the
miseries.
Prior.
Syn. -- To recompense; remunerate; indemnify; reward;
requite; counterbalance.
Com"pen*sate, v. i. To make
amends; to supply an equivalent; -- followed by for; as,
nothing can compensate for the loss of
reputation.
