PAY FOR • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Pay for

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/peɪ fɔr/ Listen

verb

Pay v. i. (past & past part. paid; pres. part. paying)

To give a recompense; to make payment, requital, or satisfaction; to discharge a debt. "The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again."

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."

To pay off.

(a)

(Naut.) To fall to leeward, as the head of a vessel under sail.

(b)

to repay (a debt).

To pay on. To beat with vigor; to redouble blows. (Colloq.)

To pay round (Naut.) To turn the ship's head.

See images of 'Pay for'

Etymology of 'Pay for'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Pay for" Quotes from Famous Books

... as the profits of the trade of these colonies ultimately centre in Great Britain, to pay for the manufactures which they are obliged to take from thence, they eventually contribute very largely to all ...

— The Life of George Washington, Vol. 1 (of 5) • John Marshall

... replied his father, but now with less of irritation in his voice, "whether it was worth three hundred guineas or one hundred pounds. I want to know who is going to pay for it, for ...

— Amos Huntingdon • T.P. Wilson

... attractiveness of the nefarious trade. The profits of a successful voyage to the owner of the ship and cargo were enormous. One of the steamers, specially built for the trade, at large cost, has been known to pay for herself fully in one voyage. Indeed, the profits must have been huge to induce merchants to take the risk of absolutely losing a ship and cargo worth half a million of dollars. It is certain, too, that throughout the war the number of vessels captured, while trying to run the blockade, ...

— The Naval History of the United States - Volume 2 (of 2) • Willis J. Abbot

... friendly air of patronage. "Well, I don't suppose there would be any difficulty on that score if Sir John will write. My client is a prudent man, and would naturally like to have the best advice available. Moreover, he is quite willing to pay for it. There is, of course, that question," and he looked at me ...

— Hurricane Island • H. B. Marriott Watson

... drama? Ould Silver wud never pay actor-man or woman their just dues, an' by consequince his comp'nies was collapsible at the last minut. Thin the bhoys wud clamor to take a part, an' oft as not ould Silver made them pay for the fun. Faith, I've seen Hamlut played wid a new black eye an' the queen as full as a cornucopia. I remimber wanst Hogin that 'listed in the Black Tyrone an' was shot in South Africa, he sejuced ould Silver into givin' him Hamlut's part instid av me that had a fine fancy ...

— Indian Tales • Rudyard Kipling

More quotes...