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rehabilitate

[ree-huh-bil-i-teyt, ree-uh-]
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verb (used with object), re·ha·bil·i·tat·ed, re·ha·bil·i·tat·ing.
  1. to restore to a condition of good health, ability to work, or the like.
  2. to restore to good condition, operation, or management, as a bankrupt business.
  3. to reestablish the good reputation of (a person, one's character or name, etc.).
  4. to restore formally to former capacity, standing, rank, rights, or privileges.
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verb (used without object), re·ha·bil·i·tat·ed, re·ha·bil·i·tat·ing.
  1. to undergo rehabilitation.
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Origin of rehabilitate

1570–80; < Medieval Latin rehabilitātus, past participle of rehabilitāre to restore. See re-, habilitate
Related formsre·ha·bil·i·ta·tion, nounre·ha·bil·i·ta·tive, adjectivere·ha·bil·i·ta·tor, nounnon·re·ha·bil·i·ta·tion, nounnon·re·ha·bil·i·ta·tive, adjectiveun·re·ha·bil·i·tat·ed, adjective

Synonyms

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2. salvage, restore, recondition, reconstruct, refurbish.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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Contemporary Examples

British Dictionary definitions for rehabilitative

rehabilitate

verb (tr)
  1. to help (a person who has acquired a disability or addiction or who has just been released from prison) to readapt to society or a new job, as by vocational guidance, retraining, or therapy
  2. to restore to a former position or rank
  3. to restore the good reputation of
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Derived Formsrehabilitative, adjective

Word Origin

C16: from Medieval Latin rehabilitāre to restore, from re- + Latin habilitās skill, ability
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 rehabilitative

rehabilitate

v.

1570s, "to bring back to a former condition after decay or damage," back-formation from rehabilitation and in part from Medieval Latin rehabilitatus, past participle of rehabilitare. Meaning "to restore one's reputation or character in the eyes of others" is from 1847. Related: Rehabilitated; rehabilitating.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
rehabilitative in Medicine

rehabilitate

(rē′hə-bĭl′ĭ-tāt′)
v.
  1. To restore to good health or useful life, as through therapy and education.
  2. To restore to good condition, operation, or capacity.
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Related formsre′ha•bil′i•ta′tion n.re′ha•bil′i•ta′tive adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.