I. əˈwȯ(ə)rd, -ȯ(ə)d transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English awarden, from Old North French eswarder, from es- (from Latin ex out) + warder to observe, keep, guard; akin to Old French guarder, garder to observe, keep, guard — more at ex- , guard
1. obsolete : to determine after careful consideration : judge , decide
shall then the testament award the right — John Dryden
2. : to give by judicial decree : assign after careful judgment : adjudge
the arbitrators awarded heavy damages
3. : to confer or bestow upon : grant , give
the university awarded him an honorary degree
Synonyms: see grant
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old North French eswart, from eswarder
1.
a. : a judgment, sentence, or final decision ; especially : the decision of arbitrators in a case submitted to them
following the arbitration award … he was retained as counsel by … the more important claimants — H.W.H.Knott
b. : the document containing the decision of arbitrators
2.
a. : something that is conferred or bestowed upon a person : grant
candidates for the awards in chemistry
b. : an emblem or medal symbolizing such an award
the award is a blue-and-gold pin with an appropriate inscription
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: a- (perfective prefix) + ward — more at abear
obsolete : to ward off