Re-trīb'ūte, v. t.

(29), v. t. [Lat. retribuere, retributum, from re, again, back, and tribuere, to bestow, assign, pay; It. retribuire, ritribuire, Sp., Pg., & Pr. retribuir, Fr. rétribuer.] To pay back; to make payment, compensation, or reward in return to; as, to retribute one for his kindness; to retribute to a criminal what is proportionate to his offense. [Rare.] Locke.