guerdon

American  

[gur-dn] / ˈgɜr dn /

noun

1. a reward, recompense, or requital.

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verb (used with object)

1. to give a guerdon to; reward.

guerdon British  

/ ˈɡɜːdən /

noun

1. a reward or payment

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verb

1. (tr) to give a guerdon to

Other Word Forms

• guerdoner noun
• guerdonless adjective
• unguerdoned adjective

Etymology

Origin of guerdon

1325–75; Middle English < Old French, variant of werdoun < Medieval Latin widerdonum, alteration (probably by association with Latin dōnum gift) of Old High German widarlōn, equivalent to widar again, back + lōn reward; cognate with Old English witherlēan

Example Sentences

To snag the top guerdon at a fake National Spelling Bee, Guy relies on his photographic memory and a certain prospicience about the vulnerabilities of spelling prodigies.

From Time • Mar. 13, 2014

The guerdon of the struggle remained the same; but, by the beginning of the last scene, most of its contenders and nearly all of their weapons had been altered.

From Time Magazine Archive

When "Stunner" Harding was elected President, he returned the guerdon of friendship, taking "Chain Ganger" Crissinger down to Washington to be Comptroller of the Currency.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Then if you wish me success," he replied, "you must send me out with some guerdon of your favor."

From The New Rector by Weyman, Stanley John

"Pay the men of art for not curing her: all the guerdon I seek, that cured her, is this; go not and give your foul linen away from me by way of thanks."

From The Cloister and the Hearth A Tale of the Middle Ages by Reade, Charles