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DictionaryRoot: pensare
Latin

pensare

to weigh

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Black shopkeeper gives customer replacement ceramic pot beside accidentally broken one.
verb

compensate

KAHM-pun-sayt/ˈkɑːmpenseɪt/

To provide something that offsets work, loss, or disadvantage.

Etymology
comLatinwith, together; sometimes thoroughly
+pensLatinto weigh
+ateLatinhaving or having undergone something

The image is weighing one thing against another until they balance. Compensating extends that image to providing something of equal value to counterbalance loss, harm, or effort.

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