repatriate

[ree-pey-tree-eyt, ree-pey-tree-it]

verb (used with object)

repatriated, repatriating 

1. to bring or send back (a person, especially a prisoner of war, a refugee, etc.) to their country or land of citizenship.

2. to send (profits or other assets) back to one's own country.

3. to restore to a country that has attained sovereignty something that was formerly held or administered on that country’s behalf by a colonial power.

   In 1982, the Trudeau government repatriated Canada's constitution from Britain.

verb (used without object)

repatriated, repatriating 

1. to return to one's own country.

   to repatriate after 20 years abroad.

noun

1. a person who has been repatriated.

repatriate

verb

1. to send back (a refugee, prisoner of war, etc) to the country of his birth or citizenship

2. to send back (a sum of money previously invested abroad) to its country of origin

noun

1. a person who has been repatriated

Other Word Forms

• repatriable adjective
• repatriation noun
• nonrepatriable adjective
• unrepatriated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of repatriate¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin repatriātus (past participle of repatriāre “to return to one's fatherland”), equivalent to Latin re- “again, back” + patri(a) “native country” (noun use of feminine of patrius “paternal,” derivative of pater “father”) + -ātus past participle suffix; re-, father, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of repatriate¹

C17: from Late Latin repatriāre from Latin _re- + patria fatherland; compare _repair ²

Example Sentences

The population has dropped as detainees have been released or repatriated to their home countries, particularly Iraq.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Analysts at Charles Schwab noted Japanese institutions “may repatriate money back home,” potentially sending U.S. yields higher and raising borrowing costs.

Read more on MarketWatch

The agency added that investigators and experts "will soon carry out all necessary examinations and identify the repatriated bodies".

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Chilean officials said the search for victims had ended and the focus was now on repatriating the bodies and liaising with foreign consulates.

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A highly publicised sweep starting in February saw around 7,000 alleged scammers repatriated and Thailand enact a cross-border internet blockade.

Read more on Barron's