Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RE-WARD', v.t. [Norm. regarder, to allow; regardes, fees, allowances, perquisites, rewards; regardez, awarded. In these words there appears to be an alliance with regard. But in the Fr. and Norm. guerdon, a reward, and guerdonner, to reward, this alliance does not appear. So the Italian guiderdonare, to reward, is evidently a compound of the L. dono with another word, and apparently with the Sax. wither, G. wider and wieder, D. weder, answering to L. re, denoting return. The Spanish and Portuguese have the Latin word with a different prefix; Sp. galardon, a reward; galardonar, to reward; Port. galardam, galadoar. The Armoric has garredon, garredoner. Reward appears to be from the Norman.]

To give in return, either good or evil. Thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. – 1 Sam. xxiv. Hence, when good is returned for good, reward signifies to repay, to recompense, to compensate. When evil or suffering is returned for injury or wickedness, reward signifies to punish with just retribution, to take vengeance on; according to the nature of the case. I will render vengeance to my enemies; and will reward them that hate me. – Deut. xxxii. The Son of man will come in the glory of his Father, with his angels, and then he will reward every man according to his works. – Matth. xvi. In the latter passage, reward signifies to render both good and evil.