com·pen·sate [ kómpən sàyt ](past and past participlecom·pen·sat·ed, present participlecom·pen·sat·ing, 3rd person present singularcom·pen·sates)
verb
Definition:
1. intransitive verb make amends: to make amends or make up for something Nothing can compensate for the loss of one's home.
2. transitive verb pay somebody for work or loss: to pay somebody for work done or for something lost adequately compensated for their efforts
3. transitive and intransitive verb counterbalance: to counterbalance a force or quality
4. intransitive verb psychology offset personality weakness: to behave in a way that emphasizes a particular ability or personality trait in order to make up for a deficiency in another
[Mid-17th century. < Latin compensat-, past participle of compensare, literally "weigh together" < pensare (see pensive)]
