restitution
ress-tuh-TOO-shuhn
/ˌres.tɪˈtʃuː.ʃən/
The restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner, or recompense for injury or loss.
Emphasizes making full physical or financial amends to undo past wrongful harm.
The story behind the word. Composed of Latin 're-' (again) and 'statuere' (to set up). In classical Roman jurisprudence, 'restitutio in integrum' was a remedy where a magistrate restored parties to the exact legal position they occupied before an unlawful act occurred.
Word relationships
- reparation: Reparation usually refers to state compensation paid after war or historical oppression, while restitution focuses on returning exact stolen items or property.
- confiscation: Confiscation takes away property, whereas restitution returns property to its right owner.
Commonly confused with
- retribution: Retribution is vengeance/punishment; restitution is repair and returning property.
Collocations
- pay restitution
- seek restitution
- financial restitution
Example sentences
- "The court ordered full restitution of stolen cultural property to its origin nation." International Law
Memory hook
RESTITUTION puts things back into their original RESTING position. Restoring what was stolen.
When not to use
Do not confuse with retribution, which focuses on punishing the offender rather than compensating the victim.
Fun facts
- The concept of legal restitution dates back to the Code of Hammurabi around 1750 BCE.
Explore more words
amends, compensate, retributive, redress, restoration, damages
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