retributive
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ret·ri·bu·tion
(rĕt′rə-byo͞o′shən)n.
1. Punishment administered in return for a wrong committed.
2. Theology Punishment or reward distributed in a future life based on performance in this one.
[Middle English retribucion, repayment, reward, from Old French retribution, from Late Latin retribūtiō, retribūtiōn-, from Latin retribūtus, past participle of retribuere, to pay back : re-, re- + tribuere, to grant; see tribe.]
re·trib′u·tive (rĭ-trĭb′yə-tĭv), re·trib′u·to·ry (-tôr′ē) adj.
re·trib′u·tive·ly adv.
re•trib•u•tive
(rɪˈtrɪb yə tɪv)also re•trib•u•to•ry
(-ˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i)adj.
characterized by or involving retribution: retributive justice.
[1670–80; obsolete retribute to make retribution (< Latin retribūtus, past participle of retribuere; see retribution) + -ive]
re•trib′u•tive•ly, adv.
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Adj. | 1. | retributive - of or relating to or having the nature of retribution; "retributive justice demands an eye for an eye" |
2. | retributive - given or inflicted in requital according to merits or deserts; "retributive justice" just - used especially of what is legally or ethically right or proper or fitting; "a just and lasting peace"- A.Lincoln; "a kind and just man"; "a just reward"; "his just inheritance" |
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