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Entry 10 senses · 4 variants Webster, 1913

Pay

/(pā)/ · IPA /peɪ/
01 v. t. 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.
  1. 1.
    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.(Naut.)
02 v. t. To satisfy, or content; specifically, to satisfy (another person) for service rendered, property delivered, etc.; to discharge one's obliga…
imp. & p. p. Paid; p. pr. & vb. n. Paying
  1. 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.
    “May no penny ale them pay [i. e., satisfy].” — P. Plowman.
    “[She] pays me with disdain.” — Dryden.
  2. 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. 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).
    “Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.” — Matt. xviii. 26.
    “If they pay this tax, they starve.” — Tennyson.
  4. 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. 5.
    To give or offer, without an implied obligation; as, to pay attention; to pay a visit.
    “Not paying me a welcome.” — Shak.
Phrases & compounds
To pay off — To make compensation to and discharge; as, to pay off the crew of a ship
To pay one's duty — to render homage, as to a sovereign or other superior.
To pay out — 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.
03 v. i. To give a recompense; to make payment, requital, or satisfaction; to discharge a debt.
  1. 1.
    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. 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.
    “'T was I paid for your sleeps; I watched your wakings.” — Beau. & Fl.
04 n. Satisfaction; content.
  1. 1.
    Satisfaction; content.
  2. 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.
Phrases & compounds
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 — earth which yields a profit to the miner.
Pay office — a place where payment is made.
Pay roll — a roll or list of persons entitled to payment, with the amounts due; now usually one word, payroll.