To pay off

Pay \Pay\ (p[=a]), v. i.
   To give a recompense; to make payment, requital, or
   satisfaction; to discharge a debt.
   [1913 Webster]

         The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again. --Ps.
                                                  xxxvii. 21.
   [1913 Webster]

   2. Hence, to make or secure suitable return for expense or
      trouble; to be remunerative or profitable; to be worth the
      effort or pains required; as, it will pay to ride; it will
      pay to wait; politeness always pays.
      [1913 Webster]

   {To pay for}.
      (a) To make amends for; to atone for; as, men often pay
          for their mistakes with loss of property or
          reputation, sometimes with life.
      (b) To give an equivalent for; to bear the expense of; to
          be mulcted on account of.
          [1913 Webster]

                'T was I paid for your sleeps; I watched your
                wakings.                          --Beau. & Fl.
          [1913 Webster]

   {To pay off}. [Etymol. uncertain.]
      (a) (Naut.) To fall to leeward, as the head of a vessel
          under sail.
      (b) to repay (a debt).

   {To pay on}. [Etymol. uncertain.] To beat with vigor; to
      redouble blows. [Colloq.]

   {To pay round} [Etymol. uncertain.] (Naut.) To turn the
      ship's head.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Pay \Pay\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paid} (p[=a]d); p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Paying}.] [OE. paien, F. payer, fr. L. pacare to pacify,
   appease, fr. pax, pacis, peace. See {Peace}.]
   1. To satisfy, or content; specifically, to satisfy (another
      person) for service rendered, property delivered, etc.; to
      discharge one's obligation to; to make due return to; to
      compensate; to remunerate; to recompense; to requite; as,
      to pay workmen or servants.
      [1913 Webster]

            May no penny ale them pay [i. e., satisfy]. --P.
                                                  Plowman.
      [1913 Webster]

            [She] pays me with disdain.           --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Hence, figuratively: To compensate justly; to requite
      according to merit; to reward; to punish; to retort or
      retaliate upon.
      [1913 Webster]

            For which, or pay me quickly, or I'll pay you. --B.
                                                  Jonson.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To discharge, as a debt, demand, or obligation, by giving
      or doing what is due or required; to deliver the amount or
      value of to the person to whom it is owing; to discharge a
      debt by delivering (money owed). "Pay me that thou owest."
      --Matt. xviii. 28.
      [1913 Webster]

            Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
                                                  --Matt. xviii.
                                                  26.
      [1913 Webster]

            If they pay this tax, they starve.    --Tennyson.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. To discharge or fulfill, as a duy; to perform or render
      duty, as that which has been promised.
      [1913 Webster]

            This day have I paid my vows.         --Prov. vii.
                                                  14.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. To give or offer, without an implied obligation; as, to
      pay attention; to pay a visit.
      [1913 Webster]

            Not paying me a welcome.              --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   {To pay off}.
      (a) To make compensation to and discharge; as, to pay off
          the crew of a ship.
      (b) To allow (a thread, cord, etc.) to run off; to unwind.
      (c) to bribe.

   {To pay one's duty}, to render homage, as to a sovereign or
      other superior.

   {To pay out} (Naut.), to pass out; hence, to slacken; to
      allow to run out; as, to pay out more cable. See under
      {Cable}.

   {To pay the piper}, to bear the cost, expense, or trouble.
      [Colloq.]
      [1913 Webster]