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The act of retributing; repayment. In good offices and due retributions, we may not be pinching and niggardly. Bp. Hall.

l resentment against, on account of wrong committed; to give up claim to requital from or retribution upon (an offender); to absolve; to pardon; -- said of the person offending. Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke xxiii. 34. I as free forgive you, as I would be fforgiven. Shak.…

The goddess of retribution or vengeance; hence, retributive justice personified; divine vengeance. This is that ancient doctrine of nemesis who keeps watch in the universe, and lets no offense go unchastised. Emerson.

Penal retribution; punishment for crime or offense; the suffering in person or property which is annexed by law or judicial decision to the commission of a crime, offense, or trespass. Death is the penalty imposed. Milton.

r fault, either with or without a view to the offender's amendment; to cause to suffer in retribution; to chasten; as, to punish traitors with death; a father punishes his child for willful disobedience. A greater power Now ruled him, punished in the shape he sinned. Milton.

A penalty inflicted by a court of justice on a convicted offender as a just retribution, and incidentally for the purposes of reformation and prevention.

Recompense; atonemet; retribution. [Obs.] Howell.

To inflict, as a retribution; to requite. I will render vengeance to mine enemies. Deut. xxxii. 41.

The act of retaliating, or of returning like for like; retribution; now, specifically, the return of evil for evil; e.g., an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. God . . . takes what is done to others as done to himself, and by promise obloges himself to full retaliation. Calamy.

One who makes retribution.

Of or pertaining to retribution; of the nature of retribution; involving retribution or repayment; as, retributive justice; retributory comforts.

itive), or sending back to the same place or condition; restitution; repayment; requital; retribution; as, the return of anything borrowed, as a book or money; a good return in tennis. You made my liberty your late request: Is no return due from a grateful breast Dryden.

especially, free from wrong, guilt, or sin; holy; as, a righteous man or act; a righteous retribution. Fearless in his righteous cause. Milton.

Punishment inflicted in return for an injury or an offense; retribution; -- often, in a bad sense, passionate or unrestrained revenge. To me belongeth vengeance and recompense. Deut. xxxii. 35. To execute fierce vengeance on his foes. Milton.

Avengement; penal retribution; vengeance. [Obs.] Spenser.

come to for the purpose of chastising, rewarding, comforting; to come upon with reward or retribution; to appear before or judge; as, to visit in mercy; to visit one in wrath. [God] hath visited and redeemed his people. Like i. 68.

avor and goodness, or, more usually, of divine wrath and vengeance; retributive calamity; retribution; judgment. What will ye do in the day of visitation Isa. x. 3.