2. An equivalent or return for money due, goods purchased, or
services performed; salary or wages for work or service;
compensation; recompense; payment; hire; as, the pay of a
clerk; the pay of a soldier.
Where only merit constant pay receives. --Pope.
There is neither pay nor plunder to be got.
--L'Estrange.
{Full pay}, the whole amount of wages or salary; maximum pay;
especially, the highest pay or allowance to civil or
military officers of a certain rank, without deductions.
{Pay day}, the day of settlement of accounts.
{Pay dirt} (Mining), earth which yields a profit to the
miner. [Western U.S.]
{Pay office}, a place where payment is made.
{Pay roll}, a roll or list of persons entitled to payment,
with the amounts due.
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again. --Ps.
xxxvii. 21.
2. Hence, to make or secure suitable return for expense or
trouble; to be remunerative or profitable; to be worth the
effort or pains required; as, it will pay to ride; it will
pay to wait; politeness always pays.
May no penny ale them pay [i. e., satisfy]. --P.
Plowman.
[She] pays me with disdain. --Dryden.
2. Hence, figuratively: To compensate justly; to requite
according to merit; to reward; to punish; to retort or
retaliate upon.
For which, or pay me quickly, or I'll pay you. --B.
Jonson.
3. To discharge, as a debt, demand, or obligation, by giving
or doing what is due or required; to deliver the amount or
value of to the person to whom it is owing; to discharge a
debt by delivering (money owed). ``Pay me that thou
owest.'' --Matt. xviii. 28.
Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
--Matt. xviii.
26.
If they pay this tax, they starve. --Tennyson.
4. To discharge or fulfill, as a duy; to perform or render
duty, as that which has been promised.
This day have I paid my vows. --Prov. vii.
14.
5. To give or offer, without an implied obligation; as, to
pay attention; to pay a visit.
Not paying me a welcome. --Shak.
{To pay off}.
(a) To make compensation to and discharge; as, to pay off
the crew of a ship.
(b) To allow (a thread, cord, etc.) to run off; to unwind.