Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Reward
Re-ward′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Rewarded
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Rewarding
.] [OF.
rewarder
, another form of regarder
, of German origin. The original sense is, to look at, regard, hence, to regard as worthy, give a reward to. See Ward
, Regard
.] To give in return, whether good or evil; – commonly in a good sense; to requite; to recompense; to repay; to compensate.
After the deed that is done, one doom shall
Mercy or no mercy as truth will accord.
reward
,Mercy or no mercy as truth will accord.
Piers Plowman.
Thou hast
rewarded
me good, whereas I have rewarded
thee evil. 1 Sam. xxiv. 17.
I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will
reward
them that hate me. Deut. xxxii. 41.
God
rewards
those that have made use of the single talent. Hammond.
1.
Regard; respect; consideration.
[Obs.]
Take
reward
of thine own value. Chaucer.
2.
That which is given in return for good or evil done or received; esp., that which is offered or given in return for some service or attainment, as for excellence in studies, for the return of something lost, etc.; recompense; requital.
Thou returnest
From flight, seditious angel, to receive
Thy merited
From flight, seditious angel, to receive
Thy merited
reward
. Milton.
Rewards
and punishments do always presuppose something willingly done well or ill. Hooker.
3.
Hence, the fruit of one’s labor or works.
The dead know not anything, neither have they any more a
reward
. Eccl. ix. 5.
4.
(Law)
Compensation or remuneration for services; a sum of money paid or taken for doing, or forbearing to do, some act.
Burrill.
Syn. – Recompense; compensation; remuneration; pay; requital; retribution; punishment.
Webster 1828 Edition
Reward
REWARD'
,Verb.
T.
To give in return, either good or evil.
Thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. 1Sam. 24.
Hence, when good is returned for good, reward signifies to repay, to recompense, to compensate. When evil or suffering is return for injury or wickedness, reward signifies to punish with just retribution, to take vengeance on, according to the nature of the case.
I will render vengeance to my enemies; and will reward them that hate me. Deut. 32.
The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels, and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Matt. 16.
In the latter passage, reward signifies to render with good and evil.
REWARD'
,Noun.
1.
Recompense, or equivalent return for good done, for kindness, for services and the like. Rewards may consist of money, goods or any return of kindness or happiness.The laborer is worthy of his reward. 1Tim. 5.
Great is your reward in heaven. Matt. 5.
Rewards and punishments presuppose moral agency, and something voluntarily done, well or ill; without which respect, though we may receive good, it is only a benefit and not a reward.
2.
The fruit of men's labor or works.The dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward. Eccles. 9.
3.
A bribe; a gift to pervert justice. Deut. 27.4.
A sum of money offered for taking or detecting a criminal, or for recovery of any thing lost.5.
Punishment; a just return of evil or suffering for wickedness.Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Ps. 91.
6.
Return in human applause. Matt. 6.7.
Return in joy and comfort. Ps. 19.