Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Language: Late Latin
Origin: retributio, from Latin retribuere 'to pay back'

retribution

 noun
     
ret‧ri‧bu‧tion [singular,uncountable]
severe punishment for something very serious
retribution for
Victims are demanding retribution for the terrorist attacks.
divine retribution (=punishment by God)
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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