Definition of "indemnify" in English

verb

1. To secure against loss or damage; to insure.

   • The states must at last engage to the merchants here that they will indemnify them from all that shall fall out.

2. (chiefly law) To compensate or reimburse someone for some expense or injury.

verb

1. (obsolete, rare) to hurt, to harm

   • 1583, Thomas Stocker's translation of A tragicall historie of the troubles and ciuile warres of the lowe Countries, i. 63a He... did not belieue that his Maiestie by this occasion coulde any way be endemnified.
   • 1593, Thomas Lodge, Life & Death of William Long Beard, E ij What harme the Rhodians haue doone thee, that thou so much indemnifiest them?