regenerate

views updated May 09 2018

re·gen·er·ate • v. / riˈjenəˌrāt/ [tr.] (of a living organism) regrow (new tissue) to replace lost or injured tissue: a crab in the process of regenerating a claw. ∎  [intr.] (of an organ or tissue) regrow: once destroyed, brain cells do not regenerate. ∎  bring into renewed existence; generate again: the issue was regenerated last month. ∎  bring new and more vigorous life to (an area or institution), esp. in economic terms; revive: regenerating the inner cities. ∎  (esp. in Christian use) give a new and higher spiritual nature to. ∎  [usu. as adj.] (regenerated) Chem. precipitate (a natural polymer such as cellulose) in a different form following chemical processing, esp. in the form of fibers.• adj. / riˈjenərət/ reformed or reborn, esp. in a spiritual or moral sense.DERIVATIVES: re·gen·er·a·tor / -ˌrātər/ n.

regenerate

views updated May 21 2018

regenerate cause to be born again or reproduced. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. regenerāre (see RE-, GENERATE); based on earlier regenerate adj. (-ATE2) reborn, formed anew XV; spiritually reborn XVI.
So regeneration re-creation XIV; spiritual rebirth XV. — (O)F. or L.

regenerate

views updated May 29 2018

regenerate Another term for refresh.