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Webster 1913 Edition

Reward

Re-ward′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Rewarded
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Rewarding
.]
[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.

Re-ward′

,
Noun.
[See
Reward
,
Verb.
, and cf.
Regard
,
Noun.
]
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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Reward

REWARD'

,
Verb.
T.
a as aw. [[L. re, denoting return.]
To give in return, either good or evil.
Thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. 1Sam. 24.
Hence, when good is returned for good, reward signifies to repay, to recompense, to compensate. When evil or suffering is return for injury or wickedness, reward signifies to punish with just retribution, to take vengeance on, according to the nature of the case.
I will render vengeance to my enemies; and will reward them that hate me. Deut. 32.
The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels, and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Matt. 16.
In the latter passage, reward signifies to render with good and evil.

REWARD'

,
Noun.
1.
Recompense, or equivalent return for good done, for kindness, for services and the like. Rewards may consist of money, goods or any return of kindness or happiness.
The laborer is worthy of his reward. 1Tim. 5.
Great is your reward in heaven. Matt. 5.
Rewards and punishments presuppose moral agency, and something voluntarily done, well or ill; without which respect, though we may receive good, it is only a benefit and not a reward.
2.
The fruit of men's labor or works.
The dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward. Eccles. 9.
3.
A bribe; a gift to pervert justice. Deut. 27.
4.
A sum of money offered for taking or detecting a criminal, or for recovery of any thing lost.
5.
Punishment; a just return of evil or suffering for wickedness.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Ps. 91.
6.
Return in human applause. Matt. 6.
7.
Return in joy and comfort. Ps. 19.

Definition 2024

reward

reward

English

Noun

reward ‎(plural rewards)

  1. Something of value given in return for an act.
    For catching the thief, you'll get a nice reward.
  2. A prize promised for a certain deed or catch
    The rewards for bringing in badly wanted criminals are printed on 'dead or alive' posters
  3. The result of an action, whether good or bad.
    Is this the reward I get for telling the truth: to be put in jail?
    • 2013 January 22, Phil McNulty, “Aston Villa 2-1 Bradford (3-4)”, in BBC:
      Christian Benteke's first-half goal was just reward for Villa's undoubted superiority but Bradford managed to survive without further damage until half-time, before scoring the goal that takes them to Wembley for the first time since 1996.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Translations

Etymology 2

From Middle English rewarden, from Anglo-Norman rewarder ‎(“to reward”) (compare Old French reguarder, whence modern French regarder, also English regard through Middle French), from re- + warder ‎(“to guard, keep”), from Old Northern French, from Frankish *wardōn ‎(“to guard, keep”), from Proto-Germanic *wardōną ‎(“to guard, defend”), from Proto-Indo-European *ewerwǝ-, *werwǝ-, *wrū- ‎(“to cover, shelter, defend, guard, shut”). Cognate with Old Saxon wardōn ‎(“to guard, provide for, protect”), Old English weardian ‎(“to watch, guard, keep”), Old High German wartēn ‎(“to watch, keep, look after”). More at ward.

Verb

reward ‎(third-person singular simple present rewards, present participle rewarding, simple past and past participle rewarded)

  1. (obsolete, transitive) To give (something) as a reward.
    • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter xxvj, in Le Morte Darthur, book IV:
      Thenne syr Marhaus departed and within two dayes his damoysel brought hym where as was a grete tornement that the lady de Vawse has cryed / […] / And there syr Marhaus dyd so nobly that he was renomed / & had somtyme doune fourty knyghtes / and soo the serklet of gold was rewarded hym
    • Bible, 1 Sam. xxiv. 17:
      Thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
  2. (transitive) To give a reward to or for.
    Why are you rewarding the child for misbehaving?‎
  3. (transitive) To recompense.
    Decorations are meant to reward the most meritous acts and services.‎
    • 2011 September 2, Phil McNulty, “Bulgaria 0-3 England”, in BBC:
      The Italian opted for Bolton's Cahill alongside captain John Terry - and his decision was rewarded with a goal after only 13 minutes. Bulgaria gave a hint of defensive frailties to come when they failed to clear Young's corner, and when Gareth Barry found Cahill in the box he applied the finish past Nikolay Mihaylov.
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations

Anagrams

Etymology

From Middle English reward, rewarde, from Anglo-Norman reward ‎(“reward”) (compare Old French regard, whence modern French regard, and also English regard through Middle French), from rewarder ‎(“to reward”) (compare Old French reguarder), from re- + warder ‎(“to guard, keep”) (compare Old French guarder); the Anglo-Norman forms are derived from Old Northern French variants of Old French, ultimately of Germanic (Frankish) origin. Compare regard, warden, guard. See more below.

Displaced native Middle English lean ‎(“reward”), from Old English lēan ‎(“reward”); Middle English meed, mede ‎(“reward, meed, recompense”), from Old English mēd ‎(“reward, meed, recompense”); Middle English schipe, schepe ‎(“reward, wage”), from Old English scipe ‎(“wages, payment, reward”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ɹɪˈwɔːd/
  • Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)d

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