Restitution Meaning and Definition
Restitution
Pronunciation
/ˌrɛstɪˈtuːʃən/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
Restitution refers to the act of restoring something, such as a right, a privilege, or a sum of money, to its rightful owner or position, often as a form of compensation or redress for a previous wrong or injustice.
Examples
1. “The company was ordered to pay restitution to the customers who were affected by their false advertising claims.”
2. “The court awarded restitution to the plaintiff in the form of monetary compensation for the damages suffered.”
Synonyms
1. Reparation
2. Compensation
3. Indemnification
Antonyms
1. Expropriation
2. Confiscation
Additional Information
Restitution can take many forms, including monetary compensation, restoration of property, or the provision of services. It is often used as a means of resolving disputes or addressing wrongdoing, and can be imposed by courts or other authorities.
In the context of law, restitution is often used as a form of alternative dispute resolution, allowing parties to reach a mutually acceptable agreement without resorting to litigation. It can also be used as a means of addressing historical injustices or ongoing inequalities.
In everyday language, restitution can refer to the act of making amends or repairing a relationship that has been damaged. For example, a person who has wronged a friend may offer restitution in the form of an apology or a gesture of goodwill.
Etymology
The word “restitution” comes from the Latin “restituere”, meaning “to restore” or “to make anew”. This Latin term is derived from the prefix “re-” (meaning “again” or “anew”) and the verb “stituere” (meaning “to set up” or “to establish”).
Usage Notes
When using the word “restitution”, it is essential to consider the specific context in which it is being used. In a legal sense, restitution typically refers to the act of restoring something to its rightful owner or position. In everyday language, it may be used more broadly to refer to the act of making amends or repairing a relationship.
Cultural References
The concept of restitution has been explored in various literary and artistic works, including in the novels of authors such as Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. In music, the theme of restitution is a common motif in blues and gospel music, often used to express feelings of regret or redemption.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Some common idiomatic expressions or phrases that include the word “restitution” include “make restitution” or “seek restitution”.
Collocations
Some common word combinations with restitution include “make restitution”, “seek restitution”, and “demand restitution”.
Frequency of Use
Restitution is a moderately common word in modern language, with an estimated frequency of use of 1.2 per 1,000,000 words in the Corpus of Contemporary American English.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings or variations of the word “restitution” include “restutition”, “restitusion”, and “restitiution”.