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restore

[ri-stawr, -stohr]
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verb (used with object), re·stored, re·stor·ing.
  1. to bring back into existence, use, or the like; reestablish: to restore order.
  2. to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition, as a building, statue, or painting.
  3. to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor.
  4. to put back to a former place, or to a former position, rank, etc.: to restore the king to his throne.
  5. to give back; make return or restitution of (anything taken away or lost).
  6. to reproduce or reconstruct (an ancient building, extinct animal, etc.) in the original state.

Origin of restore

1250–1300; Middle English restoren < Old French restorer < Latin restaurāre; see re-, store
Related formsre·stor·a·ble, adjectivere·stor·a·ble·ness, nounre·stor·er, nounqua·si-re·stored, adjectiveself-re·stor·ing, adjectiveun·re·stor·a·ble, adjectiveun·re·stored, adjectivewell-re·stored, adjective

Synonyms

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2. mend. See renew. 4. replace, reinstate. 6. rebuild.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for restore

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • After this, nothing could restore the courtesy he had previously assumed.

    Philothea

    Lydia Maria Child

  • Things as trifling as the turning of a shell may restore you to your rights.

    Philothea

    Lydia Maria Child

  • You pull down, you despoil; but they build up, they restore.

    The White Company

    Arthur Conan Doyle

  • Restore to the real owner whatever has been dishonestly gotten.

  • "Ah, you wish me to restore your hope and cheerfulness," said God.

British Dictionary definitions for restore

restore

verb (tr)
  1. to return (something, esp a work of art or building) to an original or former condition
  2. to bring back to health, good spirits, etc
  3. to return (something lost, stolen, etc) to its owner
  4. to reintroduce or re-enforceto restore discipline
  5. to reconstruct (an extinct animal, former landscape, etc)
Derived Formsrestorable, adjectiverestorableness, nounrestorer, noun

Word Origin

C13: from Old French, from Latin rēstaurāre to rebuild, from re- + -staurāre, as in instaurāre to renew
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for restore

v.

c.1300, "to give back," also, "to build up again, repair," from Old French restorer, from Latin restaurare "repair, rebuild, renew," from re- "back, again" (see re-) + -staurare, as in instaurare "restore," from PIE *stau-ro-, from root *sta- "to stand, set down, make or be firm," with derivatives meaning "place or thing that is standing" (see stet). Related: Restored; restoring.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper