[pay] vb paid also in sense
7. payed ; pay.ing [ME, fr. OF paier, fr. L pacare to pacify, fr. pac-, pax peace] vt (13c) 1 a: to make due return to for services rendered or property delivered b: to engage for money: hire "you couldn't ~ me to do that"
2. a: to give in return for goods or service "~ wages" b: to discharge indebtedness for: settle "~ a bill" c: to make a disposal or transfer of (money)
3: to give or forfeit in expiation or retribution "~ the penalty"
4. a: to make compensation for b: to requite according to what is deserved "~ them back"
5: to give, offer, or make freely or as fitting "~ attention" "~ your respects"
6. a: to return value or profit to "it ~s you to stay open" b: to bring in as a return "an investment ~ing five percent" 7: to slacken (as a rope) and allow to run out--used with out ~ vi 1: to discharge a debt or obligation
2: to be worth the expense or effort "crime doesn't ~"
3: to suffer the consequences of an act -- pay one's dues 1: to earn a right or position through experience, suffering, or hard work
2. also pay dues : pay vi 3 -- pay one's way or pay one's own way : to pay one's share of expenses -- pay the piper : to bear the cost of something -- pay through the nose : to pay exorbitantly or dearly syn pay, compensate, remunerate, satisfy, reimburse, indemnify, repay, recompense mean to give money or its equivalent in return for something. pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred "paid their bills on time". compensate implies a making up for services rendered or help given "an attorney well compensated for her services". remunerate more clearly suggests paying for services rendered and may extend to payment that is generous or not contracted for "promised to remunerate the searchers handsomely". satisfy implies paying a person what is demanded or required by law "all creditors will be satisfied in full". reimburse implies a return of money that has been expended for another's benefit "reimbursed employees for expenses". indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare "indemnified the families of the killed miners". repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount "repay a favor with a favor". recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward "hotel guests were recompensed for the inconvenience".
[2]pay n (14c) 1: something paid for a purpose and esp. as a salary or wage: remuneration
2. a: the act or fact of paying or being paid b: the status of being paid by an employer: employ
3: a person viewed with respect to reliability or promptness in paying debts or bills
4. a: ore or a natural situation that yields metal and esp. gold in profitable amounts b: an oil-yielding stratum or zone syn see wage [3]pay adj (1856) 1: containing or leading to something precious or valuable
2: equipped with a coin slot for receiving a fee for use "~ telephone"
3: requiring payment [4]pay vt payed also paid ; pay.ing [obs. F peier, fr. L picare, fr. pic-, pix pitch--more at pitch] (1627): to coat with a waterproof composition