requital

American  

[ri-kwahyt-l] / rɪˈkwaɪt l /

noun

1. the act of requiting.

2. a return or reward for service, kindness, etc.

3. a retaliation for a wrong, injury, etc.

4. something given or done as repayment, reward, punishment, etc., in return.

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requital British  

/ rɪˈkwaɪtəl /

noun

1. the act or an instance of requiting

2. a return or compensation for a good or bad action

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Other Word Forms

• nonrequital
  noun
• unrequital
  noun

Etymology

Origin of requital

First recorded in 1570–80; requite + -al ²

Explanation

When you pay someone back or return their favor, that's requital. Your friend might insist that no requital is necessary for the cookies she gives you, but you may want to bake cupcakes for her tomorrow anyway. Use requital for the sincere return of a favor, like going to your brother's band concert after he's dutifully attended your poetry reading. You can also use it for retribution for a wrong that's been done: "As requital for the Silly String attack, she put a whoopie cushion on her classmate's chair." Requital comes from requite, which is based in the Middle English root quite, "clear or pay up."

Example Sentences

This nonsense gradually infected everything and the consequence was an underestimate which subsequently bought the bitterest requital.

From Time Magazine Archive

Judith patted the little maid in requital of her courtesy, and then stole noiselessly up-stairs.

From Judith Shakespeare Her love affairs and other adventures by Black, William

The loftiest love is that which gets not nor expects requital.

From Lodges in the Wilderness by Scully, W. C. (William Charles)

Then, I owe my life to this fair Norman; such a debt upon my honour calls aloud for a full requital.

From The Last of the Vikings by Bowling, John

The register of the rudeness of the strong is also full, and destined for full requital.

From Abraham Lincoln's Cardinal Traits; A Study in Ethics, with an Epilogue Addressed to Theologians by Beardslee, Clark S.