regenerate

[ verb ri-jen-uh-reyt; adjective ri-jen-er-it ]

verb (used with object)

, re·gen·er·at·ed, re·gen·er·at·ing.

1. to effect a complete moral reform in.

   Synonyms: uplift, redeem, reform

2. to re-create, reconstitute, or make over, especially in a better form or condition.
3. to revive or produce anew; bring into existence again.
4. Biology. to renew or restore (a lost, removed, or injured part).
5. Physics. to restore (a substance) to a favorable state or physical condition.
6. Electronics. to magnify the amplification of, by relaying part of the output circuit power into the input circuit.
7. Theology. to cause to be born again spiritually.

verb (used without object)

, re·gen·er·at·ed, re·gen·er·at·ing.

1. to come into existence or be formed again.
2. to reform; become regenerate.
3. to produce a regenerative effect.
4. to undergo regeneration.

adjective

1. reconstituted or made over in a better form.
2. reformed.
3. Theology. born again spiritually.

regenerate

verb

1. to undergo or cause to undergo moral, spiritual, or physical renewal or invigoration
2. to form or be formed again; come or bring into existence once again
3. to replace (lost or damaged tissues or organs) by new growth, or to cause (such tissues) to be replaced
4. chem to restore or be restored to an original physical or chemical state
5. tr electronics (in a digital system) to reshape (distorted incoming pulses) for onward transmission

adjective

1. morally, spiritually, or physically renewed or reborn; restored or refreshed

Derived Forms

• reˈgenerative, adjective
• reˈgeneracy, noun
• reˈgeneratively, adverb
• reˈgenerˌator, noun
• reˈgenerable, adjective

Other Words From

• re·gener·a·ble adjective
• re·gener·ate·ness noun
• nonre·gener·ate adjective
• nonre·gener·ating adjective
• unre·gener·a·ble adjective
• unre·gener·ating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of regenerate¹

1425–75; late Middle English (adj.) < Latin regenerātus, past participle of regenerāre to bring forth again, equivalent to re- re- + generātus; generate

Example Sentences

That class of people has the natural tendency to regenerate according to Bellow.

From The Daily Beast

They can be disrupted and dismantled and yet fully regenerate once the pressure subsides.

From The Daily Beast

It began to regenerate as soon as American forces left Iraq.

From The Daily Beast

And the baddies, who light up, regenerate body parts, and occasionally overheat and explode, are pretty silly.

From The Daily Beast

That kind of browsing was a purely visual experience that usually cleared my mind, allowing it to regenerate.

From The Daily Beast

Before the summer of 1807 closed, everything was ripe for Napoleon's contemplated intervention to "regenerate" Spain.

From Project Gutenberg

"You say you're regenerated—go ahead and regenerate the church," he said.

From Project Gutenberg

Three generations of good government would scarcely regenerate them.

From Project Gutenberg

The utilization of her ability is all that is needed to regenerate city life.

From Project Gutenberg

That young Polynesian chief had in him the secret to regenerate a world which has only a self-complacent smile for his faith.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• invigorate
• reconstruct
• recreate
• reestablish
• reinvigorate
• rejuvenate
• reproduce