retrieve

[ri-treev]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR retrieve ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), re·trieved, re·triev·ing.

to recover or regain: to retrieve the stray ball.

to bring back to a former and better state; restore: to retrieve one's fortunes.

to make amends for: to retrieve an error.

to make good; repair: to retrieve a loss.

Hunting. (of hunting dogs) to fetch (killed or wounded game).

to draw back or reel in (a fishing line).

to rescue; save.

(in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) to make an in-bounds return of (a shot requiring running with the hand extended).

Computers. to locate and read (data) from storage, as for display on a monitor.

verb (used without object), re·trieved, re·triev·ing.

Hunting. to retrieve game.

to retrieve a fishing line.

noun

an act of retrieving; recovery.

the possibility of recovery.

Origin of retrieve

1375–1425; late Middle English retreven < Middle French retroev-, retreuv-, tonic stem of retrouver to find again, equivalent to re- re- + trouver to find; see trover

Related formsre·triev·a·ble, adjectivere·triev·a·bil·i·ty, nounnon·re·triev·a·ble, adjectiveun·re·triev·a·ble, adjectiveun·re·trieved, adjective

Synonyms for retrieve

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR retrieve ON THESAURUS.COM

1. See recover.

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

Related Words for retrieved

repair, save, rescue, restore, recapture, recover, salvage, fetch, reclaim, regain, recall, recruit, repossess, redeem, recoup, reacquire

Examples from the Web for retrieved

Contemporary Examples of retrieved

After the last magnet was retrieved, she assumed slave posture and waited for Couple to unclasp the clamps.
Dungeons and Genital Clamps: Inside a Legendary BDSM Chateau
Ian Frisch
December 20, 2014
I may be missing some time and there are memories that will never be retrieved.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything
Liz Seccuro
December 16, 2014
She retrieved a cigarette from her purse and lit it without moving her face away from the screen.
I Watched a Casino Kill Itself: The Awful Last Nights of Atlantic City’s Taj Mahal
Olivia Nuzzi
December 8, 2014
As the family hunted for anything personal that could be retrieved, they were startled when the phone began to ring.
Life Under Air Strikes: Children Under Fire Will Never Forget — or Forgive
Clive Irving
August 3, 2014
The police officer passed by, asked her what was wrong and retrieved the money.
Liberia’s Child Prostitutes
Clair MacDougall
May 19, 2014

Historical Examples of retrieved

"You mean old King Solomon was," he retrieved himself quickly.
Dust
Mr. and Mrs. Haldeman-Julius
He retrieved his wire and then looked at the horse kicking on the ground.
Louisiana Lou
William West Winter
Sorko scrambling to his feet, shuffling to the table, where he retrieved his bowl.
In the Orbit of Saturn
Roman Frederick Starzl
One rolled off the table and was retrieved by the maid from some distant corner.
The Stark Munro Letters
J. Stark Munro
Jethro was examining the sticks which, as well as the ducks, had been retrieved by the cats.
The Cat of Bubastes
G. A. Henty

British Dictionary definitions for retrieved

retrieve

verb (mainly tr)

to get or fetch back again; recoverhe retrieved his papers from various people's drawers

to bring back to a more satisfactory state; revive

to extricate from trouble or danger; rescue or save

to recover or make newly available (stored information) from a computer system

(also intr) (of a dog) to find and fetch (shot game)

tennis squash badminton to return successfully (a shot difficult to reach)

to recall; remember

noun

the act of retrieving

the chance of being retrieved

Derived Formsretrievable, adjectiveretrievability, nounretrievably, adverb

Word Origin for retrieve

C15: from Old French retrover, from re- + trouver to find, perhaps from Vulgar Latin tropāre (unattested) to compose; see trover, troubadour

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 retrieved

retrieve

early 15c., retreve, originally in reference to dogs finding lost game, from Middle French retruev-, stem of Old French retreuver (Modern French retrouver) "find again, recover, meet again, recognize," from re- "again" (see re-) + trouver "to find," probably from Vulgar Latin *tropare "to compose" (see trove). Altered 16c. to retrive; modern form is from mid-17c.