reparation
UK: ˌrɛpəˈreɪʃən | US: ˌrɛpəˈreɪʃən
n. 1. The act of making amends or compensating for a wrong or injury.
n. 2. Compensation or payment for such a wrong, especially in the context of war or historical injustice.
n. 3. (Archaic) The act of repairing or restoring something.
reparation = re<again> + par<prepare> + ation<noun suffix>
- re: From Latin re-, meaning "again" or "back."
- par: From Latin parare, meaning "to prepare" or "to make ready."
- ation: A noun-forming suffix indicating an action or process.
Etymology Origin:
The word reparation traces back to Latin reparatio, from reparare ("to restore" or "make amends"). The prefix re- emphasizes repetition or restoration, while parare (to prepare) suggests the idea of "making things right again." Over time, the term evolved in English to focus on compensation for wrongs, particularly in legal and moral contexts. Its archaic sense of "repairing" still lingers in older texts.
The government agreed to pay reparations to the victims of the war.
She sought reparation for the damage caused by the false accusations.
The treaty included clauses for financial reparation to affected nations.
(Archaic) The reparation of the ancient monument took years of careful work.
Activists demand reparations for historical injustices committed against marginalized communities.