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The rendering to every one his due or right; just treatment; requital of desert; merited reward or punishment; that which is due to one's conduct or motives. This even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice To our own lips. Shak.

In the smallest or lowest degree; in a degree below all others; as, to reward those who least deserve it.

order instituted by the French government in 1802, when Bonaparte was First Consul, as a reward for merit, both civil and military.

mind or senses; to miss; as, I lost a part of what he said. He shall in no wise lose his reward. Matt. x. 42. I fought the battle bravely which I lost, And lost it but to Macedonians. Dryden.

bate. Stirling. There is an indissoluble union between a magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity. Washington.

of practical wisdom; an adage; a proverb; an aphorism. 'T is their maxim, Love is love's reward. Dryden.

to preserve the remembrance of a notable event or an illustrious person, or to serve as a reward.

One who has gained a medal as the reward of merit.

That which is bestowed or rendered in consideration of merit; reward; recompense. A rosy garland was the victor's meed. Spenser.

Worthy of meed, reward, or recompense; meritorious. "Meedful works." Wiclif.

Acting for reward; serving for pay; paid; hired; hireling; venal; as, mercenary soldiers.

Reward deserved; any mark or token of excellence or approbation; as, his teacher gave him ten merits. Those laurel groves, the merits of thy youth. Prior.

Deserving of reward. [R.]

Possessing merit; deserving of reward or honor; worthy of recompense; valuable. And meritorious shall that hand be called, Canonized, and worshiped as a saint. Shak. -- Mer`i*to"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- Mer`i*to"ri*ous*ness, n.

y of corn formerly given by the lord to his customary tenants, as an encouragement to, or reward for, labor and faithful service.

In ancient Sparta, one of those Helots who were freed by the state in reward for military service. Milford.

omething. The obliging power of the law is neither founded in, nor to be measured by, the rewards and punishments annexed to it. South. Religion obliges men to the practice of those virtues which conduce to the preservation of our health. Tillotson.

To bid, as a price, reward, or wages; as, to offer a guinea for a ring; to offer a salary or reward.

To pay too much to; to reward too highly.

with. Follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say . . . Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good. Gen. xliv. 4. He had him overtaken in his flight. Spenser.