v. t. | 1. | To give in return, whether good or evil; - commonly in a good sense; to requite; to recompense; to repay; to compensate. |
n. | 1. | Regard; respect; consideration. |
2. | That which is given in return for good or evil done or received; esp., that which is offered or given in return for some service or attainment, as for excellence in studies, for the return of something lost, etc.; recompense; requital. | |
3. | Hence, the fruit of one's labor or works. | |
4. | (Law) Compensation or remuneration for services; a sum of money paid or taken for doing, or forbearing to do, some act. |
Noun | 1. | ![]() |
2. | reward - payment made in return for a service rendered | |
3. | reward - an act performed to strengthen approved behavior Synonyms: reinforcement | |
4. | reward - the offer of money for helping to find a criminal or for returning lost property | |
5. | reward - benefit resulting from some event or action; "it turned out to my advantage"; "reaping the rewards of generosity" Synonyms: advantage Antonyms: penalty - the disadvantage or painful consequences of an action or condition; "neglected his health and paid the penalty" | |
Verb | 1. | reward - bestow honor or rewards upon; "Today we honor our soldiers"; "The scout was rewarded for courageus action" |
2. | reward - strengthen and support with rewards; "Let's reinforce good behavior" Synonyms: reinforce | |
3. | reward - act or give recompensation in recognition of someone's behavior or actions |
REWARD. An offer of recompense given by authority of law for the performance
of some act for the public good; which, when the act has been performed, is
to be paid; or it is the recompense actually paid.
2. A reward may be offered by the government or by a private person. In
criminal prosecutions, a person may be a competent witness although he
expects, on conviction of the prisoner, to receive a reward. 1 Leach, 314, n
9 Barn. & Cresw. 556; S. C. Eng. C. L. R. 441; 1 Leach, 134; 1 Hayw. Rep. 3
1 Root, R. 249; Stark. Ev. pt. 4, p. 772, 3; Roscoe's Cr. Ev. 104; 1 Chit.
Cr. Law, 881; Hawk. B. 2, c. 12, s. 21 to 38; 4 Bl. Com. 294; Burn's Just.
Felony, iv. See 6 Humph. 113.
3. By the common law, informers, who are entitled under penal statutes
to part of the penalty, are not in general competent witnesses. But when a
statute can receive no execution, unless a party interested be a witness,
then it seems proper to admit him, for the statute must not be rendered
ineffectual for want of proof. Gilb. 114. In many acts of the legislature
there is a provision that the informer shall be a witness, notwithstanding
the reward. 1 Phil. Ev. 92, 99.