The spelling of the phrase "makes whole" is straightforward in English. The word "make" is spelled with the digraph "ma" and the vowel sound /eɪ/, represented in IPA phonetic transcription as a long a sound followed by a y. The word "whole" is spelled with the digraph "wh" and the vowel sound /oʊ/, represented in IPA phonetic transcription as a long o sound followed by a w. When combined, "makes whole" is pronounced as /meɪks həʊl/. This phrase is used to describe something or someone being restored to their original, complete state.
The term "makes whole" is a legal concept used to describe the process of restoring a person or entity to their original condition before incurring a loss or harm. The idea behind making someone whole is to compensate for any damage, injury, or loss suffered, ensuring that the affected party is restored to the same state they were in prior to the incident. This notion is commonly associated with civil law, particularly in cases related to personal injury or contract disputes.
When a person is made whole, they are typically awarded financial compensation or remedies that aim to restore them to the position they were in before the harm occurred. This can include reimbursement for medical expenses, property damages, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other losses suffered as a result of the incident. The objective is to provide adequate compensation so that the affected party is not left in a worse condition as a result of the incident.
Making someone whole is an essential principle in the legal system as it seeks to provide justice and fairness by restoring individuals or entities to their rightful state. It ensures that victims are not unfairly burdened by the consequences of the actions of others, allowing them to move forward with their lives without enduring lasting harm or loss.
The phrase "makes whole" can be analyzed by looking at the etymology of each individual word:
1. Makes: This is the third-person singular present tense of the verb "make". The word "make" originates from the Middle English word "maken", which is derived from the Old English word "macian". Its roots can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "makōną", meaning "to construct" or "to put together".
2. Whole: The word "whole" comes from the Old English word "hāl", which means "sound", "healthy", or "uninjured". The Old English term is related to the Old High German word "heil", meaning "healthy", and the Old Norse word "heill", which has a similar meaning. The ultimate origin of "whole" can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "khailaz".