compensātĭo (conp-), ōnis, f. [compenso], a weighing, balancing of several things together.
I Prop., in the lang. of business, a balancing of accounts , a rendering of an equivalent , equalizing : compensatio est debiti et crediti inter se distributio, Dig. 16, 2, 1; so ib. 24, 3, 15; Gai Inst. 4, 66 sq.: mercium, an exchange , barter (opp. pecunia), Just. 3, 2, 11.—
II Trop (only in Cic.): hac usurum conpensatione sapientem, ut voluptatem fugiat, si ea majorem doiorem effectura sit, Cic. Tusc. 5, 33, 95: incommoda commodorum conpensatione lenire, id. N. D. 1, 9, 23.