词源

源自拉丁語 (“偿还”)。

发音

• 國際音標^(幫助)：/ˌɹɛtɹɪˈbjuʃən/

名词

(可數 和 不可數，複數)

1. （出于道德或报复的）惩罚，惩处
   • 1983, Richard A. Posner, The economics of justicem p.208:

     Whereas retribution focuses on the offender's wrong, retaliation focuses on the impulse of the victim (or of those who sympathize with him) to strike back at the offender.

   • 1999, Barbara Hanawalt, Medieval crime and social control, p.73:

     1. Revenge is for an injury; retribution is for a wrong.

     2. Retribution sets an internal limit to the amount of the punishment according to the seriousness of the wrong; revenge need not.

     3. Revenge is personal; the agent of retribution need have no special or personal tie to the victim of the wrong for which he exacts retribution.

     4. Revenge involves a particular emotional tone, pleasure in the suffering of another, while retribution need involve no emotional tone.