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ve in return, as payment, reward, or punishment; to requite; as, to retribute one for his kindness; to retribute just punishment to a criminal. [Obs. or R.] Locke.

figuratively. Long time in even scale The battle hung. Milton. The scales are turned; her kindness weighs no more Now than my vows. Waller.

t left the trade, as many more Have lately done on the same score. Hudibras. You act your kindness in Cydria's score. Dryden.

Like a sister; becoming a sister, affectionate; as, sisterly kindness; sisterly remorse. Shak.

To express amusement, pleasure, moderate joy, or love and kindness, by the features of the face; to laugh silently. He doth nothing but frown . . . He hears merry tales and smiles not. Shak. She led to see the doughty hero slain. Pope. When last I saw thy young blue eyes, they smiled. Byron.

r turneth away wrath. Prov. xv. 1. A face with gladness overspread, Soft smiles, by human kindness bred. Wordsworth.

rt, in kind, in (its own) form. "[The king] expects a return in specie from them" [i. e., kindness for kindness]. Dryden. In specie (Law), in precise or definite form; specifically; according to the exact terms; of the very thing.

ib gently in one direction; especially, to pass the hand gently over by way of expressing kindness or tenderness; to caress; to soothe. He dried the falling drops, and, yet more kind, He stroked her cheeks. Dryden.

e of suffering; the bearing of pain; endurance. He must not only die the death, But thy unkindness shall his death draw out To lingering sufferance. Shak.

Kindness of feeling toward one who suffers; pity; commiseration; compassion. I value myself upon sympathy, I hate and despise myself for envy. Kames.

Fig.: To stain; to sully; to tarnish. His unkindness may defeat my life, But never taint my love. Shak.

f before an indirect object; as, to tax a man with pride. I tax you, you elements, with unkindness. Shak. Men's virtues I have commended as freely as I have taxed their crimes. Dryden. Fear not now that men should tax thine honor. M. Arnold.

Susceptible of the softer passions, as love, compassion, kindness; compassionate; pitiful; anxious for another's good; easily excited to pity, forgiveness, or favor; sympathetic. The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. James v. 11. I am choleric by my nature, and tender by my temper. Fuller.

One made tender by too much kindness; a fondling. [R.] W. Harrison (1586).

A expression of gratitude; an acknowledgment expressive of a sense of favor or kindness received; obligation, claim, or desert, or gratitude; -- now generally used in the plural. "This ceremonial thanks." Massinger. If ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye for sinners also do even the same. Luke v…

Impressed with a sense of kindness received, and ready to acknowledge it; grateful. Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Ps. c. 4. -- Thank"ful*ly, adv. -- Thank"ful*ness, n.

One who gives thanks, or acknowledges a kindness. Barrow.

erance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 2 Pet. i. 5,6,7. I have a king's oath to the contrary. Shak. Numbers were crowded to death. Clarendon. Fate and the dooming gods are deaf to tears. Dryden. Go, buckle to the law. Dryden…

Incidental or opportune deed or office; occasional act of kindness or malice; as, to do one an ill turn. Had I not done a friendes turn to thee Chaucer. thanks are half lost when good turns are delayed. Fairfax.

Not gracious; showing no grace or kindness; being without good will; unfeeling. Shak.