Recover
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ɹɪˈkʌvə/
- Rhymes: -ÊŒvÉ™(r)
Origin 1
Alternative forms
- recovre obsolete
From Anglo-Norman recoverer and Old French recovrer, from Latin recuperare.
Full definition of recover
Verb
- (transitive) To get back, regain (a physical thing lost etc.).
- Bible, 1 Sam. xxx. 18David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away.
- After days of inquiries, he finally recovered his lost wallet.
- 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 22, Not unnaturally, “Auntie” took this communication in bad part. Thus outraged, she showed herself to be a bold as well as a furious virago. Next day she found her way to their lodgings and tried to recover her ward by the hair of the head.
- (transitive) To return to, resume (a given state of mind or body).At the top of the hill I asked to stop for a few minutes to recover my strength.
- (transitive, obsolete) To reach (a place), arrive at.
- FullerWith much ado the Christians recovered to Antioch.
- ShakespeareThe forest is not three leagues off;
If we recover that, we're sure enough. - HalesExcept he could recover one of the Cities of Refuge he was to die.
- (transitive, archaic) To restore to good health, consciousness, life etc.
- ShakespeareThe wine in my bottle will recover him.
- 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, vol. I, New York 2001, p. 233-4:Cnelius a physician ... gave him a clyster, by which he was speedily recovered.
- Bible, 2. Tim. ii. 26that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him
- (transitive, archaic) To make good by reparation; to make up for; to retrieve; to repair the loss or injury of.to recover lost time
- RogersEven good men have many failings and lapses to lament and recover.
- (transitive, archaic) To get better from; to get over.To the end of his days, he never fully recovered his daughter's death.
- CowleyI do hope to recover my late hurt.
- De Foewhen I had recovered a little my first surprise
- (intransitive) To get better, regain one's health.I was hurt, but I knew I'd recover, given time.
- (intransitive) To regain one's composure, balance etc.Spinning round, he caught a stone with his ankle, but recovered quickly before turning to face me.
- 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 19, Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.
- (intransitive, legal) To obtain a judgement; to succeed in a lawsuit.The plaintiff has recovered in his suit.
- (transitive, legal) To gain as compensation or reparation.to recover damages in trespass; to recover debt and costs in a suit at lawto recover lands in ejectment or common recovery
- (transitive, legal) To gain by legal process.to recover judgement against a defendant
Related terms
Noun
recover
(plural recovers)- (obsolete) Recovery. 14th-17th c.
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book XX:But I kepe her for thys cause: insomuche as she shulde have be brente for my sake, mesemed hit was my parte to save her lyff and put her from that daungere tyll bettir recover myght com.
- (military) A position of holding a firearm during exercises, whereby the lock is at shoulder height and the sling facing out.