SuaviloquyToday’s word

requital

Requital (-al), n.

Etymology: [From Requite.]

The act of requiting; also, that which requites; return, good or bad, for anything done; in a good sense, compensation; recompense; as, the requital of services; in a bad sense, retaliation, or punishment; as, the requital of evil deeds. No merit their aversion can remove, Nor ill requital can efface their love. Waller.

Syn. -- Compensation; recompense; remuneration; reward; satisfaction; payment; retribution; retaliation; reprisal; punishment.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for requital; he lists it under pay, revenge.

Where he writes about it:

A requital is strictly an even return, such as to quit one of obligation for what has been received, and even if poor or unworthy is given as complete and adequate. — from revenge