noun, plural in·dem·ni·ties.
- protection or security against damage or loss.
- compensation for damage or loss sustained.
- something paid by way of such compensation.
- protection, as by insurance, from liabilities or penalties incurred by one’s actions.
- legal exemption from penalties attaching to unconstitutional or illegal actions, granted to public officers and other persons.
noun plural -ties
- compensation for loss or damage; reimbursement
- protection or insurance against future loss or damage
- legal exemption from penalties or liabilities incurred through one’s acts or defaults
- (in Canada) the salary paid to a member of Parliament or of a legislature
- act of indemnity an act of Parliament granting exemption to public officers from technical penalties that they may have been compelled to incur
mid-15c., from Middle French indemnité (14c.), from Late Latin indemnitatem (nominative indemnitas) “security for damage,” from Latin indemnis “unhurt, undamaged,” from in- “not, opposite of, without” (see in- (1)) + damnum “damage” (see damn).