compensation

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun something (such as money) given or received as payment or reparation (as for a service or loss or injury)
  2. noun (psychiatry) a defense mechanism that conceals your undesirable shortcomings by exaggerating desirable behaviors
  3. noun the act of compensating for service or loss or injury

Etymology

From Middle English compensacioun, from Old French compensacion, from Latin compensātiōnem, accusative singular of compensātiō. Equivalent to compensate + -ion.

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