recapture

[ ree-kap-cher ]

verb (used with object)

, re·cap·tured, re·cap·tur·ing.

1. to capture again; recover by capture; retake.
2. (of a government) to take by recapture.
3. to recollect or reexperience (something past).

noun

1. the recovery or retaking by capture.
2. the taking by the government of a fixed part of all earnings in excess of a certain percentage of property value, as in the case of a railroad.
3. International Law. the lawful reacquisition of a former possession.
4. the state or fact of being recaptured.

recapture

/ riːˈkæptʃə /

verb

1. to capture or take again
2. to recover, renew, or repeat (a lost or former ability, sensation, etc)

   she soon recaptured her high spirits

3. (of the government) to take lawfully (a proportion of the profits of a public-service undertaking)

noun

1. the act of recapturing or fact of being recaptured
2. the seizure by the government of a proportion of the profits of a public-service undertaking

Other Words From

• re·captur·a·ble adjective
• unre·captured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of recapture¹

First recorded in 1745–55; re- + capture

Example Sentences

While these three programs—parole, visa recapture, and the restoration of the CTC for undocumented kids—remain in current drafts of the bill, their ultimate fate remains unclear.

From Time

The furnace owner offered a reward of three pounds each for their recapture.

From Washington Post

The landowner will continue to come out ahead, but not as much as without land value recapture.

From Voice of San Diego

He is an expert on land value recapture and author of “Value Capture” and co-author of “Public Benefit Zoning.”

From Voice of San Diego

My strategy was to bring in the people we never had, not try to recapture the people we lost to Reagan.

From The Daily Beast

Before modernism, designers were almost trying to recapture the past.

From The Daily Beast

The protest at Recapture Canyon was non-violent, though there were guns present.

From The Daily Beast

On each of these privileged descents into Recapture, we walked and climbed down.

From The Daily Beast

Was it because your dad really liked those earlier sessions and wanted to recapture some of the magic?

From The Daily Beast

More serious still was the news that Porter had been reinforced, and had attacked and expected to recapture the place.

From Project Gutenberg

All the town is talking of your capture of the French frigate, and the recapture of the two prizes that she had taken.

From Project Gutenberg

Michael, having failed with Prout, tried to recapture the emotion of his first religious experience at St. Bartholomew's.

From Project Gutenberg

The Swami made a determined effort to recapture the spotlight.

From Project Gutenberg

He was trying to recapture them and as he brought them back he laughed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• reclaim
• recover
• retake
• take back