retrieve

[ri-treev]

verb (used with object)

retrieved, retrieving 

1. to recover or regain.

   to retrieve the stray ball.

2. to bring back to a former and better state; restore.

   to retrieve one's fortunes.

3. to make amends for.

   to retrieve an error.

4. to make good; repair.

   to retrieve a loss.

5. Hunting.,  (of hunting dogs) to fetch (killed or wounded game).

6. to draw back or reel in (a fishing line).

7. to rescue; save.

8. (in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) to make an in-bounds return of (a shot requiring running with the hand extended).

9. Computers.,  to locate and read (data) from storage, as for display on a monitor.

verb (used without object)

retrieved, retrieving 

1. Hunting.,  to retrieve game.

2. to retrieve a fishing line.

noun

1. an act of retrieving; recovery.

2. the possibility of recovery.

retrieve

/ rɪˈtriːv /

verb

1. to get or fetch back again; recover

   he retrieved his papers from various people's drawers

2. to bring back to a more satisfactory state; revive

3. to extricate from trouble or danger; rescue or save

4. to recover or make newly available (stored information) from a computer system

5. (also intr) (of a dog) to find and fetch (shot game)

6. tennis squash badminton to return successfully (a shot difficult to reach)

7. to recall; remember

noun

1. the act of retrieving

2. the chance of being retrieved

Other Word Forms

• retrievable adjective
• retrievability noun
• nonretrievable adjective
• unretrievable adjective
• unretrieved adjective
• retrievably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of retrieve¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English retreven, from Middle French retroev-, retreuv-, tonic stem of retrouver “to find again,” equivalent to re- re- + trouver “to find”; trover

Word History and Origins

Origin of retrieve¹

C15: from Old French retrover , from _re- + trouver to find, perhaps from Vulgar Latin tropāre (unattested) to compose; see _trover , _troubadour

Synonym Study

See recover.

Example Sentences

Binnington, who took the historic puck from Ovechkin's goal and pocked it before a linesman retrieved it from him, was pulled after surrendering four goals in just under 30 minutes.

Read more on Barron's

Lord Bracadale said participants in the inquiry had "lost confidence in my conduct of the inquiry to such an extent that it cannot be retrieved".

Read more on BBC

In his resignation letter to deputy first minister Kate Forbes, Lord Bracadale said participants in the inquiry had "lost confidence in my conduct of the Inquiry to such an extent that it cannot be retrieved".

Read more on BBC

Despite retrieving them in April, those affected say "not a penny" of compensation has been paid.

Read more on BBC

For decades, forensic experts have struggled to retrieve fingerprints from firearms or ammunition.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• bring back www.thesaurus.com
• fetch 
• recapture 
• reclaim 
• recover 
• repair 
• rescue 
• restore 
• salvage 
• save