'recompense' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'recompensier,' where 're-' meant 'again' and 'compensare' meant 'to weigh one thing against another.'

'recompensier' transformed into the Middle English word 'recompensen,' and eventually became the modern English word 'recompense'.

Initially, it meant 'to balance or weigh one thing against another,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'compensation or reward.'