Reward, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rewarded; p. pr. & vb. n. Rewarding.]
Etymology: [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 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 other Webster entry under this spelling
Reward, n.
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 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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for reward; he lists it under requite, subsidy.
Where he writes about it:
To repay or to retaliate, to punish or to reward, may be to make some return very inadequate to the benefit or injury received, or the right or wrong done; but to requite (according to its etymology) is to make so full and adequate a return as to quit oneself of all obligation of favor or hostility, of punishment or reward. — from requite