/ ˈkɒmpenseɪt; NAmE ˈkɑːm-/ verb
1.
[ v ] compensate (for sth) to provide sth good to balance or reduce the bad effects of damage, loss, etc.
SYN make up for :
Nothing can compensate for the loss of a loved one.
2.
[ vn ] compensate sb (for sth) to pay sb money because they have suffered some damage, loss, injury, etc. :
Her lawyers say she should be compensated for the suffering she had been caused.
► com·pen·sa·tory / ˌkɒmpenˈseɪtəri; NAmE kəmˈpensətɔːri/ adjective :
He received a compensatory payment of $20 000.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent. (in the sense counterbalance ): from Latin compensat- weighed against, from the verb compensare , from com- together + pensare (frequentative of pendere weigh).