Pay, v. t. [imp. & p. p.Paid (pād); p. pr. & vb. n.Paying.] [OE. paien, F. payer, fr. L. pacare to pacify, appease, fr. pax, pacis, peace. See Peace.] 1. To satisfy, or content; specifically, to satisfy (another person) for service rendered, property delivered, etc.; to discharge one's obligation to; to make due return to; to compensate; to remunerate; to recompense; to requite; as, to pay workmen or servants.
May no penny ale them pay [i.e., satisfy]. P. Plowman.
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. — To pay one's duty, to render homage, as to a sovereign or other superior. — To pay out(Naut.), to pass out; hence, to slacken; to allow to run out; as, to pay out more cable. See under Cable. — To pay the piper, to bear the cost, expense, or trouble.