guerdon

American  

[gur-dn] / ˈgɜr dn /

noun

1. a reward, recompense, or requital.

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verb (used with object)

1. to give a guerdon to; reward.

guerdon British  

/ ˈɡɜːdən /

noun

1. a reward or payment

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verb

1. (tr) to give a guerdon to

Other Word Forms

• guerdoner noun
• guerdonless adjective
• unguerdoned adjective

Etymology

Origin of guerdon

1325–75; Middle English < Old French, variant of werdoun < Medieval Latin widerdonum, alteration (probably by association with Latin dōnum gift) of Old High German widarlōn, equivalent to widar again, back + lōn reward; cognate with Old English witherlēan

Example Sentences

To snag the top guerdon at a fake National Spelling Bee, Guy relies on his photographic memory and a certain prospicience about the vulnerabilities of spelling prodigies.

From Time • Mar. 13, 2014

The guerdon of the struggle remained the same; but, by the beginning of the last scene, most of its contenders and nearly all of their weapons had been altered.

From Time Magazine Archive

When "Stunner" Harding was elected President, he returned the guerdon of friendship, taking "Chain Ganger" Crissinger down to Washington to be Comptroller of the Currency.

From Time Magazine Archive

But neither gift nor guerdon would young Bernaldo receive at his hands, save only the freedom of his father.

From Legends & Romances of Spain by Spence, Lewis

Well may you greet me, lady; my newsman's guerdon give; You and your woes are parted—henceforth with pleasure live.

From The Nibelungenlied Revised Edition by Unknown