Definition of compensatory

The word "compensatory" has its roots in Latin. It comes from the word "compensare," which means "to make up for" or "to balance." This Latin word is a combination of "com-" (together) and "pen-" (pay) with the suffix "-sare" (to make). In English, the word "compensatory" was first used in the 15th century to describe something that makes up for or offsets a loss or defect. Over time, the meaning of the word has expanded to include things that compensate for a lack or imbalance, such as a compensatory payment or a compensatory behavior. Today, the word "compensatory" is commonly used in fields such as education, employment, and healthcare to describe programs or practices that aim to make up for past injustices or inequalities.