[com.pen.sate] vb -sat.ed ; -sat.ing [L compensatus, pp. of compensare, freq. of compendere] vt (1646) 1: to be equivalent to: counterbalance
2: to make an appropriate and usu. counterbalancing payment to 3 a: to provide with means of counteracting variation b: to neutralize the effect of (variations) ~ vi 1: to supply an equivalent--used with for
2: to offset an error, defect, or undesired effect
3: to undergo or engage in psychological or physiological compensation syn see pay -- com.pen.sa.tive adj -- com.pen.sa.tor n -- com.pen.sa.to.ry adj