compensate
UK[ˈkɒmpənseɪt]US[ˈkɑːmpənseɪt]
v
To give someone money or something else of value to make up for a loss, injury, or problem.
v
To make up for something undesirable by having an equal positive effect.
Morpheme Breakdown
com
pens
ate
com
together, with
pens
to weigh, to pay
ate
to act upon, to cause
Etymology
The word 'compensate' originates from the Latin verb 'compensare', meaning "to weigh one thing against another, to counterbalance". This verb itself is a compound of the intensive prefix 'com-' ("together, with") and 'pensare', a frequentative form of 'pendere' ("to weigh"). The core concept of weighing, both literally and figuratively, is central to its history. The literal act of balancing scales evolved into the abstract idea of balancing a loss with a payment or an undesirable effect with a positive one. Thus, the modern meaning retains this fundamental logic of counterbalancing or making amends.
Analysis
Structure: com + pens + ate
- com: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "together, with".
- pens: Latin origin, from the root of 'pendere' meaning "to weigh, to pay".
- ate: Latin origin, a suffix used to form verbs meaning "to act upon, to cause".
Examples
The company will compensate customers for the defective product.
Her enthusiasm compensates for her lack of experience.
Nothing can compensate for the loss of a loved one.