pay

I

[[t]peɪ[/t]]

v. paid or \( obs. except for def. 18b) payed, pay•ing,

1) to discharge or settle (a debt, obligation, etc.), as by transferring money or goods, or by doing something

2) to give over (money) in exchange for something

3) to transfer money to (a person or organization) as compensation for work done or services rendered

4) to defray (cost or expense)

5) to be profitable to:

Your training will pay you well in the future[/ex]

6) to yield as a return:

The stock paid six percent last year[/ex]

7) to reward or retaliate against, as for good, harm, or an offense

8) to give or render (attention, respects, a compliment, etc.), as if due or fitting

9) to make (a call, visit, etc.)

10) to suffer in retribution; undergo:

to pay the penalty for a crime[/ex]

11) to transfer money, goods, etc., as in making a purchase or settling a debt

12) to discharge a debt or obligation

13) to yield a return, profit, or advantage; be worthwhile:

It pays to be courteous[/ex]

14) to give compensation, as for damage or loss sustained

15) to suffer or be punished for something:

to pay with one's life[/ex]

16) phv pay back

a) to repay or return

b) to retaliate against; punish

17) phv pay off

a) to pay (someone) everything that is due that person, esp. final wages

b) to pay (a debt) in full

c) Informal. to bribe

d) to retaliate against; punish

e) to result in success or failure

18) phv pay out

a) to distribute (money, wages, etc.); disburse

b) to let out (a rope) by slackening

19) pay up

a) phv to pay fully

b) phv to pay on demand

20) the act of paying or being paid; payment

21) wages, salary, or a stipend

22) paid employment

23) cvb operable or accessible on deposit of coins:

a pay toilet[/ex]

24) pertaining to or requiring payment

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- pay one's (own) way pay through the nose

Etymology: 1150–1200; ME < OF paier < ML pācāre to satisfy, settle (a debt), L: to pacify (by force of arms). See peace II

pay

[[t]peɪ[/t]] v. t. payed, pay•ing

naut. navig. to coat or cover (seams, a ship's bottom, etc.) with pitch, tar, or the like

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Etymology: 1620–30; < MF peier, OF < L picāre to smear with pitch, der. of pix (s. pic-) pitch II