n.
Pronunciation: ˌ re-tr ə - ' byü-sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English retribucioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin retribution-, retributio, from Latin retribuere to pay back, from re- + tribuere to pay ― more at TRIBUTE
Date: 14th century
1 : RECOMPENSE , REWARD
2 : the dispensing or receiving of reward or punishment especially in the hereafter
3 : something given or exacted in recompense especially : PUNISHMENT