compensate
[ kom-puhn-seyt ]
/ ˈkɒm pənˌseɪt /
verb (used with object), com·pen·sat·ed, com·pen·sat·ing.
to recompense for something: They gave him ten dollars to compensate him for his trouble.
to counterbalance; offset; be equivalent to: He compensated his homely appearance with great personal charm.
Mechanics.
to counterbalance (a force or the like); adjust or construct so as to offset or counterbalance variations or produce equilibrium.
to change the gold content of (a monetary unit) to counterbalance price fluctuations and thereby stabilize its purchasing power.
verb (used without object), com·pen·sat·ed, com·pen·sat·ing.
to provide or be an equivalent; make up; make amends (usually followed by for): His occasional courtesies did not compensate for his general rudeness.
Psychology.
to develop or employ mechanisms of compensation.
Origin of compensate
SYNONYMS FOR compensate
OTHER WORDS FROM compensate
Words nearby compensate
Example sentences from the Web for compensating
British Dictionary definitions for compensating
compensate
/ (ˈkɒmpɛnˌseɪt) /
verb
to make amends to (someone), esp for loss or injury
(tr)
to serve as compensation or damages for (injury, loss, etc)
to offset or counterbalance the effects of (a force, weight, movement, etc) so as to nullify the effects of an undesirable influence and produce equilibrium
(intr)
to attempt to conceal or offset one's shortcomings by the exaggerated exhibition of qualities regarded as desirable
Derived forms of compensate
compensatory (ˈkɒmpɛnˌseɪtərɪ, kəmˈpɛnsətərɪ, -trɪ) or compensative (ˈkɒmpɛnˌseɪtɪv, kəmˈpɛnsə-), adjective compensator, nounWord Origin for compensate
C17: from Latin
compēnsāre, from
pensāre, from
pendere to weigh