recompense

the word 'recompense' entered english in the late middle english period from old french recompenser, which itself derives from late latin recompensare. this latin verb is a compound of the prefix re- (again) and compensare (to weigh together or balance). the core root, pendere, meaning 'to hang' or 'to weigh', is proto-indo-european in origin, relating to the concept of measuring value by weight, as with precious metals. the semantic journey thus moves from the literal act of weighing something again to balance a scale, to the figurative act of making a return payment or giving an equivalent reward to balance an obligation or injury, solidifying its modern sense of repayment or compensation.

Structure: re (again) + com (intensive) + pense (weigh) re- (latin prefix, meaning 'again' or 'back'); com- (latin prefix, an intensive form of 'con-', meaning 'together' or 'thoroughly'); -pense (from latin pensare, a frequentative of pendere, meaning 'to weigh' or 'to pay').