Requiting

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Giving back an equivalent gesture or feeling in response to an action or emotion
2. Responding to someone’s kindness or goodwill with a similar one
3. Repaying a deed or sentiment by showing an equal or corresponding action

Etymology: "Requiting" is the present participle of "requite," so it describes the act of returning kindness as it happens. The verb's core idea is release from an obligation, not repayment. Old French "quitter" meant "to free" or "to liberate," and it came from "quitte," meaning "free," which descends from Latin "quiētus," "at rest," the same root behind English "quiet." Settling a debt was thought of as being set free from it. Middle English "requiten" built on this by adding the prefix re-, meaning "again" or "back," to form "to repay." Over time the word narrowed from paying back debts in general to returning favours, injuries, and goodwill alike, which is why it now most often describes answering kindness with kindness.

Synonyms: repaying, reimbursing, paying back, avenging, retaliating

Antonyms: ignoring, neglecting, abandoning, disregarding, overlooking