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retrieve

[ri-treev]
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verb (used with object), re·trieved, re·triev·ing.
  1. to recover or regain: to retrieve the stray ball.
  2. to bring back to a former and better state; restore: to retrieve one's fortunes.
  3. to make amends for: to retrieve an error.
  4. to make good; repair: to retrieve a loss.
  5. Hunting. (of hunting dogs) to fetch (killed or wounded game).
  6. to draw back or reel in (a fishing line).
  7. to rescue; save.
  8. (in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) to make an in-bounds return of (a shot requiring running with the hand extended).
  9. Computers. to locate and read (data) from storage, as for display on a monitor.
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verb (used without object), re·trieved, re·triev·ing.
  1. Hunting. to retrieve game.
  2. to retrieve a fishing line.
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noun
  1. an act of retrieving; recovery.
  2. the possibility of recovery.
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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

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1. See recover.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for retrieved

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • "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.

  • Jethro was examining the sticks which, as well as the ducks, had been retrieved by the cats.

British Dictionary definitions for retrieved

retrieve

verb (mainly tr)
  1. to get or fetch back again; recoverhe retrieved his papers from various people's drawers
  2. to bring back to a more satisfactory state; revive
  3. to extricate from trouble or danger; rescue or save
  4. to recover or make newly available (stored information) from a computer system
  5. (also intr) (of a dog) to find and fetch (shot game)
  6. tennis squash badminton to return successfully (a shot difficult to reach)
  7. to recall; remember
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noun
  1. the act of retrieving
  2. the chance of being retrieved
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Derived Formsretrievable, adjectiveretrievability, nounretrievably, adverb

Word Origin

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

v.

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper