reconstitute
Americanverb (used with object)
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to constitute again; reconstruct; recompose.
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to return (a dehydrated or concentrated food or other substance) to the liquid state by adding water.
to reconstitute a bouillon cube with hot water.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to restore (food, etc) to its former or natural state or a semblance of it, as by the addition of water to a concentrate
reconstituted lemon juice
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to reconstruct; form again
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of reconstitute
First recorded in 1805–15; re- + constitute
Explanation
To reconstitute something is to rebuild it or change the way it's organized. After your club president moves away, you might reconstitute the group by putting the former treasurer in charge and inviting new members to join. You get reconstitute by adding re-, "again," to constitute, from a Latin word meaning "form something new" or "set in order." Taking the disassembled pieces of something and putting them back together is one way to reconstitute something. You might reconstitute a group of friends who spent an angry summer not speaking to each other, or reconstitute a bowl of dehydrated ramen noodles by adding boiling water, restoring them to their original, delicious state.
Vocabulary lists containing reconstitute
Vocabulary from Readings 1, Unit 1
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Excerpt from "Speak"
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Boy 2.0
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nothing is worth doing to increase his chances of living that does not Reconstitute the Home.
From In Darkest England and the Way Out by Booth, William
Such as were good, he did not meddle with, fearing that if he "Disturbed and overset the state," he might not have sufficient power to "Reconstitute and organise again," in the best way.
From Plutarch's Lives, Volume I by Stewart, Aubrey
Reconstitute the Board and make Lord Plowden Chairman,—I don't imagine the Marquis would have the nerve to go on with it,—and I'll make a free gift of my shares to you two—half and half.
From The Market-Place by Frederic, Harold
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
