repair

¹

[ ri-pair ]

verb (used with object)

1. to restore to a good or sound condition after decay or damage; mend:

   to repair a motor.

   Synonyms: renovate, remodel, fix

   Antonyms: destroy, break

2. to restore or renew by any process of making good, strengthening, etc.:

   to repair one's health by resting.

   Synonyms: amend, rejuvenate, renew

3. to remedy; make good; put right:

   to repair damage;

   to repair a deficiency.

   Synonyms: recoup, retrieve

4. to make amends for; compensate:

   to repair a wrong done.

   Synonyms: redress

noun

1. an act, process, or work of repairing:

   to order the repair of a building.

2. Usually repairs.
   1. an instance or operation of repairing:

      to lay up a boat for repairs.

   2. a repaired part or an addition made in repairing:

      Seventeenth-century repairs in brick are conspicuous in parts of the medieval stonework.

3. repairs, (in bookkeeping, accounting, etc.) the part of maintenance expense that has been paid out to keep fixed assets in usable condition, as distinguished from amounts used for renewal or replacement.
4. the good condition resulting from continued maintenance and repairing:

   to keep in repair.

5. condition with respect to soundness and usability:

   a house in good repair.

repair

²

[ ri-pair ]

verb (used without object)

1. to betake oneself; go, as to a place:

   He repaired in haste to Washington.

2. to go frequently or customarily.

noun

1. a resort or haunt.
2. the act of going or going customarily; resort:

   to have repair to the country.

3. Scot. Obsolete. a meeting, association, or crowd of people.

repair

¹

/ rɪˈpɛə /

verb

1. usually foll by to to go (to a place)

   to repair to the country

2. usually foll by to to have recourse (to) for help, etc

   to repair to one's lawyer

3. archaic.
   usually foll by from to come back; return

noun

1. the act of going or returning
2. a haunt or resort

repair

²

/ rɪˈpɛə /

verb

1. to restore (something damaged or broken) to good condition or working order
2. to heal (a breach or division) in (something)

   to repair a broken marriage

3. to make good or make amends for (a mistake, injury, etc)

noun

1. the act, task, or process of repairing
2. a part that has been repaired
3. state or condition

   in good repair

Derived Forms

• reˈpairer, noun
• reˈpairable, adjective

Other Words From

• re·paira·ble adjective
• re·paira·bili·ty re·paira·ble·ness noun
• nonre·paira·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of repair¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English reparen, repairen, from Middle French reparer, from Latin reparāre, equivalent to re- re- + parāre to prepare; pare

Origin of repair²

First recorded 1300–50; Middle English repairen, repeiren, from Old French repairier, repeirier, “to return,” from Late Latin repatriāre “to return to one's homeland”; repatriate

Word History and Origins

Origin of repair¹

C14: from Old French repairier , from Late Latin repatriāre to return to one's native land, from Latin re- + patria fatherland; compare repatriate

Origin of repair²

C14: from Old French reparer , from Latin reparāre , from re- + parāre to make ready

Synonym Study

See renew.

Example Sentences

Historic England said "issues with the historic fabric urgently need to be addressed through a programme of repair work".

From BBC

A few years ago he purchased an old transmission repair shop nearby and converted it into a workshop where he manufactures his sculptures and paintings with a small team.

From Los Angeles Times

But he’s also made good on promises to provide more even-keeled leadership and repair fractured relationships with other county leaders.

From Los Angeles Times

Shohei Ohtani underwent arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to repair the tear, the Dodgers said, and “is expected to be ready” for spring training in February.

From Los Angeles Times

Shohei Ohtani underwent arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to repair the tear, the Dodgers said, and “is expected to be ready” for spring training in February.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adjustment
• improvement
• overhaul
• reconstruction
• rehabilitation
• replacement