'Pay' definitions:

Definition of 'pay'

(from WordNet)
noun
Something that remunerates; "wages were paid by check"; "he wasted his pay on drink"; "they saved a quarter of all their earnings" [syn: wage, pay, earnings, remuneration, salary]
verb
Give money, usually in exchange for goods or services; "I paid four dollars for this sandwich"; "Pay the waitress, please"
verb
Convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow; "Don't pay him any mind"; "give the orders"; "Give him my best regards"; "pay attention" [syn: give, pay]
verb
Cancel or discharge a debt; "pay up, please!" [syn: pay up, ante up, pay] [ant: default, default on]
verb
Bring in; "interest-bearing accounts"; "How much does this savings certificate pay annually?" [syn: yield, pay, bear]
verb
Do or give something to somebody in return; "Does she pay you for the work you are doing?" [syn: pay, pay off, make up, compensate]
verb
Dedicate; "give thought to"; "give priority to"; "pay attention to" [syn: give, pay, devote]
verb
Be worth it; "It pays to go through the trouble"
verb
Render; "pay a visit"; "pay a call"
verb
Bear (a cost or penalty), in recompense for some action; "You'll pay for this!"; "She had to pay the penalty for speaking out rashly"; "You'll pay for this opinion later"
verb
Make a compensation for; "a favor that cannot be paid back"
verb
Discharge or settle; "pay a debt"; "pay an obligation"

Definition of 'Pay'

From: GCIDE
  • Pay \Pay\ (p[=a]), v. t. [OF. peier, fr. L. picare to pitch, pix pitch: cf. OF. peiz pitch, F. poix. See Pitch a black substance.] (Naut.) To cover, as bottom of a vessel, a seam, a spar, etc., with tar or pitch, or waterproof composition of tallow, resin, etc.; to smear. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Pay'

From: GCIDE
  • Pay \Pay\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paid (p[=a]d); p. pr. & vb. n. Paying.] [OE. paien, F. payer, fr. L. pacare to pacify, appease, fr. pax, pacis, peace. See Peace.]
  • 1. To satisfy, or content; specifically, to satisfy (another person) for service rendered, property delivered, etc.; to discharge one's obligation to; to make due return to; to compensate; to remunerate; to recompense; to requite; as, to pay workmen or servants. [1913 Webster]
  • May no penny ale them pay [i. e., satisfy]. --P. Plowman. [1913 Webster]
  • [She] pays me with disdain. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Hence, figuratively: To compensate justly; to requite according to merit; to reward; to punish; to retort or retaliate upon. [1913 Webster]
  • For which, or pay me quickly, or I'll pay you. --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]
  • 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 (money owed). "Pay me that thou owest." --Matt. xviii. 28. [1913 Webster]
  • Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. --Matt. xviii. 26. [1913 Webster]
  • If they pay this tax, they starve. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. To discharge or fulfill, as a duy; to perform or render duty, as that which has been promised. [1913 Webster]
  • This day have I paid my vows. --Prov. vii. 14. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. To give or offer, without an implied obligation; as, to pay attention; to pay a visit. [1913 Webster]
  • Not paying me a welcome. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. (c) to bribe.
  • 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.] [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Pay'

From: GCIDE
  • Pay \Pay\, n.
  • 1. Satisfaction; content. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Where only merit constant pay receives. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • There is neither pay nor plunder to be got. --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]
  • 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 day, the day of settlement of accounts.
  • Pay dirt (Mining), earth which yields a profit to the miner. [Western U.S.]
  • Pay office, a place where payment is made.
  • Pay roll, (a) a roll or list of persons entitled to payment, with the amounts due; now usually one word, payroll. (b) the total sum of money which is paid to all employees on payday. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Definition of 'Pay'

From: GCIDE
  • Pay \Pay\ (p[=a]), v. i. To give a recompense; to make payment, requital, or satisfaction; to discharge a debt. [1913 Webster]
  • The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again. --Ps. xxxvii. 21. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 'T was I paid for your sleeps; I watched your wakings. --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]
  • To pay off. [Etymol. uncertain.] (a) (Naut.) To fall to leeward, as the head of a vessel under sail. (b) to repay (a debt).
  • 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. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'pay'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Pay'