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LatinVariants
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About This Root
From Latin pensāre (to weigh carefully, ponder), frequentative of pendere. The 'careful weighing' metaphor extends to: pensive (deep in thought — weighing ideas), pension (a weighed-out payment), compensate (weigh together to balance), suspense (hung in waiting), and recompense (weigh back, repay).
Associated Words
compensate
To pay or reward someone; to make up for something negative
compensatory
Intended to make up for loss or injury
dispensable
Not essential; able to be done without
expensive
Costing a lot of money; high in price
indispensability
The quality of being absolutely essential or necessary
pension
A regular payment to a retired person; to grant such a payment
pensive
Deeply and sadly thoughtful; absorbed in serious reflection
recompense
Compensation or reward for service or loss; to compensate or reward
suspense
Excitement or anxiety about an uncertain outcome