damage definition

1. Injury or harm to person, property, or reputation; an inflicted loss of value; detriment; hurt; mischief. "He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet and drinketh damage." (Prov. Xxvi. 6) "Great errors and absurdities many commit for want of a friend to tell them of them, to the great damage both of their fame and fortune." (Bacon)

2. The estimated reparation in money for detriment or injury sustained; a compensation, recompense, or satisfaction to one party, for a wrong or injury actually done to him by another.

In common-law action, the jury are the proper judges of damages. Consequential damage. See Consequential. Exemplary damages, those given for a violation of a right where no actual loss has accrued. Vindictive damages, those given specially for the punishment of the wrongdoer.

Synonyms: Mischief, injury, harm, hurt, detriment, evil, ill. See Mischief.

Origin: OF. Damage, domage, F. Dommage, fr. Assumed LL. Damnaticum, from L. Damnum damage. See Damn.

To ocassion damage to the soudness, goodness, or value of; to hurt; to injure; to impair. "He . . . Came up to the English admiral and gave him a broadside, with which he killed many of his men and damaged the ship." (Clarendon)

Origin: Cf. OF. Damagier, domagier. See Damage.

(01 Mar 1998)