Pay, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paid p. pr. & vb. n. Paying.]
 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.
    [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.”
    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. (c) to bribe.
 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. [Colloq.]


 Pay v. i. To give a recompense; to make payment, requital, or satisfaction; to discharge a debt.
    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.
 To pay for. (a) To make amends for; to atone for; as, men often pay for their mistakes with loss of property or reputation, sometimes with life. (b) To give an equivalent for; to bear the expense of; to be mulcted on account of.
    'T was I paid for your sleeps; I watched your wakings.   --Beau. & Fl.
 -- To pay off. [Etymol. uncertain.] (a) Naut. To fall to leeward, as the head of a vessel under sail. (b) to repay (a debt).
 To pay on. [Etymol. uncertain.] To beat with vigor; to redouble blows. [Colloq.]
 To pay round [Etymol. uncertain.] Naut. To turn the ship's head.