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.
   (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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)