v. Obs. Also 7 compence. [a. OF. compenser (13th c. in Godef.), Pr. and Sp. compensar, It. compensare:—L. compensāre.] To COMPENSATE, to counterbalance. a. trans.
1393. Gower, Conf., I. 365. His sinne was despensed With golde, wherof it was compensed.
1622. Bacon, Hen. VII., 208. The Ioyes and Feasts of the two Marriages, were compensed with the Mournings and Funerals of Prince Arthur and of Queen Elizabeth. Ibid. (1626), Sylva, § 398. The Length of the Night and the Dews thereof, do compence the Heat of the Day.
1648. Remonstr. Army & Officers, 49. The hazzard … is abundantly compenst by those hopes.
1706. J. Frazer, Sec. Sight, in Ess. Witchcr. (1820), 179. God might compense the want of many other gifts.
b. intr.
1825. Southey, Paraguay, III. 41. For what thou losest … There is one change alone that may compense.
