redeem

[ri-deem] /rɪˈdim/
verb (used with object)
1.
to buy or pay off; clear by payment:
to redeem a mortgage.
2.
to buy back, as after a tax sale or a mortgage foreclosure.
3.
to recover (something pledged or mortgaged) by payment or other satisfaction:
to redeem a pawned watch.
4.
to exchange (bonds, trading stamps, etc.) for money or goods.
5.
to convert (paper money) into specie.
6.
to discharge or fulfill (a pledge, promise, etc.).
7.
to make up for; make amends for; offset (some fault, shortcoming, etc.):
His bravery redeemed his youthful idleness.
8.
to obtain the release or restoration of, as from captivity, by paying a ransom.
9.
Theology. to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English redemen < Middle French redimer < Latin redimere, equivalent to red- red- + -imere, combining form of emere to purchase (cf. emptor, ransom)
Related forms
preredeem, verb (used with object)
unredeemed, adjective
Synonyms
1-3. repurchase. Redeem, ransom both mean to buy back. Redeem is wider in its application than ransom, and means to buy back, regain possession of, or exchange for money, goods, etc.: to redeem one's property. To ransom is to redeem a person from captivity by paying a stipulated price, or to redeem from sin by sacrifice: to ransom a kidnapped child. 8, 9. free, liberate, rescue, save.
Antonyms
1. abandon.
Examples from the web for redeem
  • Click here to purchase a gift code that your recipient can redeem when they're ready.
  • Most of us learn from our mistakes and try to find a way to redeem ourselves.
  • In this sense, it goes beyond promising to redeem us from social iniquity to redeeming us from human nature itself.
  • Months and years of my life have been taken away, and nothing short of systemic transformation will redeem them.
  • Users simply move their phones over the check to receive virtual coupons and offers that they can redeem later.
  • They have to adjust their portfolios as clients send them more money or ask to redeem their holdings.
  • But the government, desperate to redeem a misguided promise, seems to be reaching for a hatchet instead of a scalpel.
  • While individuals cannot redeem their policies without stiff penalties, companies face no such restrictions.
  • When prices started to fall last year, investors rushed to redeem their holdings.
  • Users get a slip which they must redeem for cash at the counter, giving tellers a chance to persuade them to open an account.
British Dictionary definitions for redeem

redeem

/rɪˈdiːm/
verb (transitive)
1.
to recover possession or ownership of by payment of a price or service; regain
2.
to convert (bonds, shares, etc) into cash
3.
to pay off (a promissory note, loan, etc)
4.
to recover (something pledged, mortgaged, or pawned)
5.
to convert (paper money) into bullion or specie
6.
to fulfil (a promise, pledge, etc)
7.
to exchange (trading stamps, coupons, etc) for goods
8.
to reinstate in someone's estimation or good opinion; restore to favour: he redeemed himself by his altruistic action
9.
to make amends for
10.
to recover from captivity, esp by a money payment
11.
(Christianity) (of Christ as Saviour) to free (mankind) from sin by his death on the Cross
Derived Forms
redeemer, noun
Word Origin
C15: from Old French redimer, from Latin redimere to buy back, from red-re- + emere to buy
Word Origin and History for redeem
v.

early 15c., "buy back, ransom," from Middle French redemer "buy back," from Latin redimere (see redemption). Theological sense of "deliver from sin and spiritual death" is from c.1500. Meaning "make amends for" is from 1520s. Sense of "make good" (a promise, obligation, etc.) is from 1840. Related: Redeemed; redeeming.