2. Hence, figuratively: To compensate justly; to requite according to merit; to reward; to punish; to retort or
retaliate upon.
For which, or pay me quickly, or I'll pay you.
B. Jonson. 3. To discharge, as a debt, demand, or obligation, by giving or doing what is due or required; to deliver
the amount or value of to the person to whom it is owing; to discharge a debt by delivering "Pay me that
thou owest." Matt. xviii. 28.
Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Matt. xviii. 26.
If they pay this tax, they starve.
Tennyson. 4. To discharge or fulfill, as a duy; to perform or render duty, as that which has been promised.
This day have I paid my vows.
Prov. vii. 14. 5. To give or offer, without an implied obligation; as, to pay attention; to pay a visit.
Not paying me a welcome.
Shak. To pay off.
(a) To make compensation to and discharge; as, to pay off the crew of a ship. (b) To
allow (a thread, cord, etc.) to run off; to unwind. — To pay one's duty, to render homage, as to a
sovereign or other superior. — To pay out (Naut.), to pass out; hence, to slacken; to allow to run out; as,
to pay out more cable. See under Cable. — To pay the piper, to bear the cost, expense, or trouble.
[Colloq.]
Pay
(Pay) v. i. To give a recompense; to make payment, requital, or satisfaction; to discharge a debt.
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again.
Ps. xxxvii. 21. 2. Hence, to make or secure suitable return for expense or trouble; to be remunerative or profitable; to be
worth the effort or pains required; as, it will pay to ride; it will pay to wait; politeness always pays.
To pay for.
(a) To make amends for; to atone for; as, men often pay for their mistakes with loss of
property or reputation, sometimes with life. (b) To give an equivalent for; to bear the expense of; to be
mulcted on account of.
'T was I paid for your sleeps; I watched your wakings.
Beau. & Fl. —
To pay off. [Etymol. uncertain.]
(Naut.) To fall to leeward, as the head of a vessel under sail. —
To pay on. [Etymol. uncertain.] To beat with vigor; to redouble blows. [Colloq.] — To pay round
[Etymol. uncertain.] (Naut.) To turn the ship's head.
Pay
(Pay), n.
1. Satisfaction; content. Chaucer.
2. An equivalent or return for money due, goods purchased, or services performed; salary or wages for
work or service; compensation; recompense; payment; hire; as, the pay of a clerk; the pay of a soldier.
Where only merit constant pay receives.
Pope.
There is neither pay nor plunder to be got.
L'Estrange. Full pay,
the whole amount of wages or salary; maximum pay; especially, the highest pay or allowance
to civil or military officers of a certain rank, without deductions. — Half pay. See under Half. — Pay