Recompense (rèkòmpèns), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recompensed (-pnst); p. pr. & vb. n. Recompensing (-pnsng).]
Etymology: [F. récompenser, LL. recompensare, fr.L. pref. re- re- + compensare to compensate. See Compensate.]
1. To render an equivalent to, for service, loss, etc.; to requite; to remunerate; to compensate. He can not recompense me better. Shak.
2. To return an equivalent for; to give compensation for; to atone for; to pay for. God recompenseth the gift. Robynson (More's Utopia). To recompense My rash, but more unfortunate, misdeed. Milton.
3. To give in return; to pay back; to pay, as something earned or deserved. [R.] Recompense to no man evil for evil. Rom. xii. 17.
Syn. -- To repay; requite; compensate; reward; remunerate.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Recompense (rkmpns), v. i.
To give recompense; to make amends or requital. [Obs.]
Recompense, n.
An equivalent returned for anything done, suffered, or given; compensation; requital; suitable return. To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense. Deut. xxii. 35. And every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward. Heb. ii. 2.
Syn. -- Repayment; compensation; remuneration; amends; satisfaction; reward; requital.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for recompense; he lists it under pay, requite.
Where he writes about it:
Recompense is a still wider and loftier word, with less suggestion of calculation and market value; there are services for which affection and gratitude are the sole and sufficient recompense; earnings, fees, hire, pay, salary, and wages are forms of compensation and may be included in compensation, remuneration, or recompense. — from pay
Requite is often used in the more general sense of recompense or repay, but always with the suggestion, at least, of the original idea of full equivalent; when one speaks of requiting kindness with ingratitude, the expression gains force from the comparison of the actual with the proper and appropriate return. — from requite