Reimburse
/ˌriː.ɪmˈbɜːrs/noun
To pay back money spent or lost; to compensate someone.
Did you know?Reimburse entered English through French, but its deepest roots reach Latin words for a purse or money-bag, turning repayment into the idea of restoring what was taken back into the container.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
bursa
“A purse, pouch, or money-bag.”
Late Latin
Latin
imbursare
“To put into a purse; to place money back in a bag.”
Old French
Old French
reembourser
“To repay or refund; literally, to put back into a purse.”
14th–15th Century
Middle English
reimbursen
“To repay money or compensate for an expense.”
Modern English
English
reimburse
“To repay or compensate for money spent.”