definitions

rehearse

[ ri-hurs ]
/ rɪˈhɜrs /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rehearse ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), re·hearsed, re·hears·ing.

to practice (a musical composition, a play, a speech, etc.) in private prior to a public presentation.
to drill or train (an actor, musician, etc.) by rehearsal, as for some performance or part.
to relate the facts or particulars of; recount.

verb (used without object), re·hearsed, re·hears·ing.

to rehearse a play, part, etc.; participate in a rehearsal.

RELATED WORDS

hone, recite, reenact, ready, describe, recount, relate, study, practice, reiterate, tell, test, experiment, narrate, drill, act, train, iterate, recapitulate, review

Nearby words

rehabilitation, rehabilitation department, rehash, rehearing, rehearsal, rehearse, reheat, reheating, rehnquist, rehoboam, rehoboth beach

Origin of rehearse

1300–50; Middle English rehersen, rehercen < Middle French rehercier to repeat, equivalent to re- re- + hercier to strike, harrow (derivative of herce, herse a harrow); see hearse

Related forms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for rehearse

rehearse

/ (rɪˈhɜːs) /

verb

to practise (a play, concert, etc), in preparation for public performance
(tr) to run through; recount; recitethe official rehearsed the grievances of the committee
(tr) to train or drill (a person or animal) for the public performance of a part in a play, show, etc

Derived Forms

rehearser, noun

Word Origin for rehearse

C16: from Anglo-Norman rehearser, from Old French rehercier to harrow a second time, from re- + herce harrow
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