Search results for 'pay':

pay¹ verb (pays, paid, paying) 1 tr & intr to give (money) to someone in exchange for goods, services, etc • I paid him £10 for the books. 2 tr & intr to settle (a bill, debt, etc). 3 tr & intr to give (wages or salary) to an employee. 4 tr & intr to make a profit, or make something as profit • businesses that don't pay • an investment that pays £500 per annum. 5 tr & intr to benefit; to be worthwhile • It pays one to be polite • Dishonesty doesn't pay. 6 tr & intr (also pay for something) to suffer a penalty on account of it; to be punished for it • pay dearly for one's crimes • paid with his life. 7 a to do someone the honour of (a visit or call) • paid her a visit in hospital; b to offer someone (a compliment, one's respects, etc) • paid him a compliment on his new haircut. 8 to give (heed or attention). noun money given or received for work, etc; wages; salary. in the pay of someone employed by them, especially for a secret or dishonest purpose. pay one's addresses to someone formal or old-fashioned said of a man: to court (a woman). pay one's way to pay all of one's own debts and living expenses. pay its way to compensate adequately for initial outlay. put paid to something or someone colloq to put an end to them; to deal effectively or finally with them. pay the piper to bear the expense of something and therefore have control of it, ie call the tune (see under call). pay through the nose to pay a very high price • paid through the nose for the coach tour.
ETYMOLOGY: 13c: from French paie, from Latin pacare to pacify, settle (a debt).

pay² verb (pays, payed, paying) naut to smear (a wooden boat) with tar, etc as waterproofing.
ETYMOLOGY: 17c: from French peier, from Latin picare, from pic-, pix pitch.