Requital: meaning, definitions and examples
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requital
[ rɪˈkwɪtəl ]
payment or response
Requital refers to the act of repaying or recompensing something, whether it be a favor, service, or debt. It embodies the notion of returning a kindness or balancing a score, and can sometimes imply a sense of revenge or retaliation. The term highlights the reciprocal nature of human interactions, where an action is met with a corresponding reaction. It is often used in literary or philosophical contexts to discuss the ethics of reciprocity.
Synonyms
payback, recompense, repayment, retaliation, return
Examples of usage
- She offered him a requital for his help.
- He believed in the requital of good deeds.
- The poet wrote about requital in relationships.
- The requital of their support was generous.
Translations
Translations of the word "requital" in other languages:
🇵🇹 retribuição
🇮🇳 प्रतिदान
🇩🇪 Vergeltung
🇮🇩 imbalan
🇺🇦 відплата
🇵🇱 odpłata
🇯🇵 報酬
🇫🇷 rémunération
🇪🇸 recompensa
🇹🇷 karşılık
🇰🇷 보답
🇸🇦 تعويض
🇨🇿 odměna
🇸🇰 odplata
🇨🇳 报答
🇸🇮 odgovor
🇮🇸 öflun
🇰🇿 қайтарым
🇬🇪 გადახდა
🇦🇿 qaytarma
🇲🇽 retribución
Etymology
The word 'requital' originates from the Middle English term 'requital', which means 'to repay' or 'to recompense'. It was formed from the Old French term 'requital', which itself derives from the Latin 'requitalis', meaning 'reciprocal' or 'returnable'. The Latin root 'requitare' means 'to pay back', composed of 're-' (back) and 'quitare' (to release or discharge). Historically, the word has been used in various literary contexts to discuss themes of justice, morality, and interpersonal relationships, particularly the obligations of returning favors or balancing wrongdoings. The nuanced meanings of the word reflect the complexity of human interactions, especially in philosophical discussions surrounding ethics and reciprocity.