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rehabilitate

[ree-huh-bil-i-teyt, ree-uh-]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rehabilitate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), re·ha·bil·i·tat·ed, re·ha·bil·i·tat·ing.

to restore to a condition of good health, ability to work, or the like.
to restore to good condition, operation, or management, as a bankrupt business.
to reestablish the good reputation of (a person, one's character or name, etc.).
to restore formally to former capacity, standing, rank, rights, or privileges.

verb (used without object), re·ha·bil·i·tat·ed, re·ha·bil·i·tat·ing.

to undergo rehabilitation.

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 for rehabilitate

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rehabilitate ON THESAURUS.COM
2. salvage, restore, recondition, reconstruct, refurbish.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for rehabilitative

curative, remedial, punitive, disciplinary, therapeutic, reformatory, restorative, palliative, amendatory, penal, antidotal

Examples from the Web for rehabilitative

Contemporary Examples of rehabilitative

  • It means more of a fine or counseling or some sort of program where you don't end up in jail but in a rehabilitative program.

    The Daily Beast logo
    Rick Perry Mellows on Pot

    Ben Jacobs

    January 24, 2014

British Dictionary definitions for rehabilitative

rehabilitate

verb (tr)

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
to restore to a former position or rank
to restore the good reputation of
Derived Formsrehabilitative, adjective

Word Origin for rehabilitate

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
rehabilitative in Medicine

rehabilitate

[rē′hə-bĭl′ĭ-tāt′]

v.

To restore to good health or useful life, as through therapy and education.
To restore to good condition, operation, or capacity.
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.