ret·ri·bu·tion

[re-truh-byoo-shuhn]
noun
1.
requital according to merits or deserts, especially for evil.
2.
something given or inflicted in such requital.
3.
Theology. the distribution of rewards and punishments in a future life.

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English retribucioun < Middle French < Late Latin retribūtiōn- (stem of retribūtiō) punishment, reward as result of judgment, equivalent to Latin retribūt(us) (past participle of retribuere to restore, give back; see re-, tribute) + -iōn- -ion


1, 2. retaliation, repayment, recompense. See revenge.


1, 2. pardon.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To retribution
00:10
Retribution is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
Collins
World English Dictionary
retribution (ˌrɛtrɪˈbjuːʃən) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  the act of punishing or taking vengeance for wrongdoing, sin, or injury
2.  punishment or vengeance
 
[C14: via Old French from Church Latin retribūtiō, from Latin retribuere to repay, from re- + tribuere to pay; see tribute]
 
retributive
 
adj
 
re'tributory
 
adj
 
re'tributively
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

retribution
1382, "repayment," from L. retributionem (nom. retributio) "recompense, repayment," from retributus, pp. of retribuere "hand back, repay," from re- "back" + tribuere "to assign, allot" (see tribute). Sense of "evil given for evil done" is from day of retribution (1526) in
Christian theology, the time of divine reward or punishment.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Without a doubt, this action demanded retaliation and retribution.
People used to behave themselves for fear of retribution in the afterlife.
He is trying to create structures that would allow investors to join suits
  anonymously, thus avoiding retribution.
Often, residents of long-term care facilities have concerns that they are
  afraid to voice for fear of retribution.
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