Find the word definition

The Collaborative International Dictionary
To pay one's duty

Pay \Pay\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paid; 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.

    [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.''
    --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.

    1. To make compensation to and discharge; as, to pay off the crew of a ship.

    2. 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.