reanimate

American  

[ree-an-uh-meyt] / ˌriˈæn əˌmeɪt /

verb (used with object)

reanimated, reanimating

1. to restore to life; resuscitate.

2. to give fresh vigor, spirit, or courage to.

3. to stimulate to renewed activity.

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reanimate British  

/ riːˈænɪmeɪt /

verb

1. to refresh or enliven (something) again

   to reanimate their enervated lives

2. to bring back to life

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Other Word Forms

• reanimation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of reanimate

First recorded in 1605–15; re- + animate

Explanation

To reanimate is to bring someone (or something) back to life, or to give them renewed energy. A new lead singer might be just the thing your band needs to reanimate its concerts. You can reanimate someone in a literal way by giving them CPR after a heart attack — and you can also reanimate them more figuratively, simply by getting them excited about a fun weekend plan. Even if your friend is half asleep on a Monday morning in math class, the idea of a Saturday at the amusement park might be enough to reanimate her. The Latin root animare means "give breath to" and "endow with spirit."

Example Sentences

Reanimate that energy before which the Bastille fell.

From History of the Girondists, Volume I Personal Memoirs of the Patriots of the French Revolution by Ryde, H. T.

Reanimate, rē-an′i-māt, v.t. to restore to life: to infuse new life or spirit into: to revive.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various