| Library / English Dictionary |
AMENDS
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Something done or paid in expiation of a wrong
Example:
how can I make amends
Synonyms:
amends; reparation
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("amends" is a kind of...):
atonement; expiation; propitiation (the act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing (especially appeasing a deity))
Sense 2
Meaning:
A sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury
Synonyms:
amends; damages; indemnification; indemnity; redress; restitution
Classified under:
Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession
Hypernyms ("amends" is a kind of...):
compensation (something (such as money) given or received as payment or reparation (as for a service or loss or injury))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "amends"):
relief ((law) redress awarded by a court)
actual damages; compensatory damages; general damages ((law) compensation for losses that can readily be proven to have occurred and for which the injured party has the right to be compensated)
nominal damages ((law) a trivial sum (usually $1.00) awarded as recognition that a legal injury was sustained (as for technical violations of a contract))
exemplary damages; punitive damages; smart money ((law) compensation in excess of actual damages (a form of punishment awarded in cases of malicious or willful misconduct))
atonement; expiation; satisfaction (compensation for a wrong)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
Present simple (third person singular) of the verb amend
Context examples:
The servant could now easily prove his innocence; and the king, to make amends for the wrong, allowed him to ask a favour, and promised him the best place in the court that he could wish for.
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
Gentlemen especially are often in request on such occasions; and Mr. Rochester is so talented and so lively in society, that I believe he is a general favourite: the ladies are very fond of him; though you would not think his appearance calculated to recommend him particularly in their eyes: but I suppose his acquirements and abilities, perhaps his wealth and good blood, make amends for any little fault of look.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
I assure you the utmost stretch of public fame would not make me amends for the loss of any happiness in private life.”
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
And the other, that you will often call on Mrs. Grant, and make her amends for my being gone.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
"Dear Edward!" she cried, "this is a moment of great happiness! This would almost make amends for every thing!"
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
At that instant, she felt that years of happiness could not make Jane or herself amends for moments of such painful confusion.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
I told the gentleman at first, when he told me upstairs it was come to light, that I would answer for your being umble, and making amends.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
In that case, your Grace, since you have yourself stated that any unhappiness in your married life was caused by his presence I would suggest that you make such amends as you can to the Duchess, and that you try to resume those relations which have been so unhappily interrupted.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
John Thorpe, who in the meantime had been giving orders about the horses, soon joined them, and from him she directly received the amends which were her due; for while he slightly and carelessly touched the hand of Isabella, on her he bestowed a whole scrape and half a short bow.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
He listened with all due deference; acknowledged that he had heard many people say the same—but yet he must confess, that to him nothing could make amends for the want of the fine glow of health.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
