ˈkɔmpenseɪt v. 1 tr. (often foll. by for)
recompense (a person) (compensated
him for his loss). 2 intr. (usu. foll. by for a
thing, to a person)
make amends (compensated for
the insult; will compensate to
her in full). 3 tr.
counterbalance. 4 tr. Mech.
provide (a
pendulum etc.)
with extra or
less weight etc. to
neutralize the effects of
temperature etc. 5 intr. Psychol.
offset a
disability or frustration by
development in
another direction. øøcompensative adj. compensator n. compensatory adj. [L compensare (as
COM-, pensare
frequent. of pendere pensweigh)]