redress

[ree-dres, ri-dres, ri-dres]

noun

1. the setting right of what is wrong.

   redress of abuses.

   Synonyms: atonement, remedy, restoration

2. relief from wrong or injury.

3. compensation or satisfaction for a wrong or injury.

verb (used with object)

1. to set right; remedy or repair (wrongs, injuries, etc.).

2. to correct or reform (abuses, evils, etc.).

   Synonyms: adjust, rectify, right, emend, mend, amend

3. to remedy or relieve (suffering, want, etc.).

   Synonyms: ease

4. to adjust evenly again, as a balance.

redress

/ rɪˈdrɛs /

verb

1. to put right (a wrong), esp by compensation; make reparation for

   to 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

noun

1. the act or an instance of setting right a wrong; remedy or cure

   to seek redress of grievances

2. compensation, amends, or reparation for a wrong, injury, etc

3. relief from poverty or want

Other Word Forms

• redressable adjective
• redresser noun
• redressible adjective
• redressor noun
• unredressable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of redress¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; (verb) Middle English redressen, from Middle French redresser, Old French redrecier, equivalent to re- re- + drecier “to straighten” ( dress ); (noun) Middle English, from Anglo-French redresse, redresce, derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of redress¹

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

Synonym Study

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.

Related Words

• amend 
• correct 
• counteract 
• even out 
• mend 
• neutralize 
• regulate 
• remedy 
• restore 
• vindicate