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redress

[noun ree-dres, ri-dres; verb ri-dres]
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noun
  1. the setting right of what is wrong: redress of abuses.
  2. relief from wrong or injury.
  3. compensation or satisfaction for a wrong or injury.
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verb (used with object)
  1. to set right; remedy or repair (wrongs, injuries, etc.).
  2. to correct or reform (abuses, evils, etc.).
  3. to remedy or relieve (suffering, want, etc.).
  4. to adjust evenly again, as a balance.
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Origin of redress

1275–1325; (v.) Middle English redressen < Middle French redresser, Old French redrecier, equivalent to re- re- + drecier to straighten (see dress); (noun) Middle English < Anglo-French redresse, redresce, derivative of the v.
Related formsre·dress·a·ble, re·dress·i·ble, adjectivere·dress·er, re·dres·sor, nounun·re·dress·a·ble, adjective
Can be confusedre-dress redress (see synonym study at the current entry)

Synonyms

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1. restoration, remedy, atonement. Redress, reparation, restitution suggest making amends or giving indemnification for a wrong. Redress may refer either to the act of setting right an unjust situation (as by some power), or to satisfaction sought or gained for a wrong suffered: the redress of grievances. Reparation means compensation or satisfaction for a wrong or loss inflicted. The word may have the moral idea of amends: to make reparation for one's neglect; but more frequently it refers to financial compensation (which is asked for, rather than given): the reparations demanded of the aggressor nations. Restitution means literally the restoration of what has been taken from the lawful owner: He demanded restitution of his land; it may also refer to restoring the equivalent of what has been taken: They made him restitution for his land. 5. amend, mend, emend, right, rectify, adjust. 6. ease.

re-dress

[ree-dres]
verb (used with object)
  1. to dress again.
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Origin of re-dress

First recorded in 1730–40; re- + dress
Can be confusedre-dress redress (see synonym study at redress)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

retributionreparationremedyreprisalamendsatonementindemnityrestitutionrectificationrestorevindicateneutralizeamendmendcounteractregulatecorrectamendmentrepairrecompense

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British Dictionary definitions for redress

redress

verb (tr)
  1. to put right (a wrong), esp by compensation; make reparation forto redress a grievance
  2. to correct or adjust (esp in the phrase redress the balance)
  3. to make compensation to (a person) for a wrong
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noun
  1. the act or an instance of setting right a wrong; remedy or cureto seek redress of grievances
  2. compensation, amends, or reparation for a wrong, injury, etc
  3. relief from poverty or want
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Derived Formsredressable or redressible, adjectiveredresser or rare redressor, noun

Word Origin

C14: from Old French redrecier to set up again, from re- + drecier to straighten; see dress

re-dress

verb
  1. (tr) to dress (something) again
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for redress

v.

mid-14c., "to correct, reform;" late 14c., "restore, put right" (a wrong, error, offense); "repair; relieve; improve; amend," from Old French redrecier "reform, restore, rebuild" (Modern French redresser), from re- "again" (see re-) + drecier "to straighten, arrange" (see dress (v.)). Formerly used in many more senses than currently. Related: Redressed; redressing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper