dividend

1. (finance) A cash payment of money by a company to its shareholders, usually made periodically (e.g., quarterly or annually).Examples: "On all dividends which do not exceed six per centum per annum, eight per centum; on dividends exceeding six per centum and not exceeding seven per centum, a tax of nine per centum..."; "Quarterly or annual dividend payments provide good income streams for investors who need cash in the short-term. And for those playing the longer game, dividends can be reinvested to buy even more shares in those same companies."

2. (arithmetic) A number or expression that is to be divided by another.Examples: "In "42 ÷ 3" the dividend is the 42."

3. (figuratively) Beneficial results from a metaphorical investment (of time, effort, etc.)Examples: "His 10,000 hours of practice and recitals eventually paid dividends when he become first-chair violinist."; "That blood and pain paid a dividend, too, even when the subject wasn't a sorcerer."; "The money I'd spent on getting scuba certified was about to pay a dividend. My half-baked escape plan came together."figuratively