Present participle of award; giving or granting something as deserved recognition, payment, or prize.
From Anglo-Norman awarder, from Old French eswarder 'to examine, decide', influenced by Germanic elements. Originally meant 'to examine and decide', later specifically 'to grant after judgment'.
The legal origins of 'award' explain why we use it for both prizes and court judgments - both involve examining evidence and making a decision. This judicial heritage gives awards their sense of earned recognition rather than random gifts.
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