What is "to pay for"

Pay \Pay\ (p[=a]), 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. 2

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.

   1. To make amends for; to atone for; as, men often pay for their mistakes with loss of property or reputation, sometimes with life.

   2. 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.] (Naut.) To fall to leeward, as the head of a vessel under sail.

      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.