re·compensation \(|)rē+\noun Etymology: Middle English recompensacion, from Middle French, from Late Latin recompensation-, recompensatio, from recompensatus (past participle of recompensare to recompense) + -ion-, -io -ion 1.obsolete: recompense 2.Scots law: a plaintiff's plea of a counterclaim made to meet a defendant's counterclaim in an action for debt