retribute

English

Etymology

Latin retributus, past participle of retribuo (“I retribute”); prefix re- + tribuo (“I bestow, assign, pay”). See tribute.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɹɛtɹɪbjuːt/

Verb

retribute (third-person singular simple present retributes, present participle retributing, simple past and past participle retributed)

1. 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

• retribution

Translations

to give in return

• Portuguese: retribuir (pt)

References

• “retribute”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

Anagrams

• butterier

Latin

Participle

retribūte

1. vocative masculine singular of retribūtus