retrieve

[ ri-treev ]

/ rɪˈtriv /

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.

Nearby words

retribution, retributive, retributivism, retrievable, retrieval, retrieve, retriever, retro, retro-, retro-operative, retroact

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

SYNONYMS FOR retrieve

1 See recover.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR retrieve ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

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

un·re·trieved, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

The police officer passed by, asked her what was wrong and retrieved the money.
Liberia’s Child Prostitutes|Clair MacDougall|May 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But within was that which has often, in desperate extremities, retrieved the fallen fortunes of nations.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
Twice, thrice the retrieved river flashes back, between the houses, the light of the firmament.
Rolling Stones|O. Henry
Stuart retrieved it and handed it to her, but she only commanded in a stunned voice, "Read it."
The Tyranny of Weakness|Charles Neville Buck
He was thinking, doubtless, that I might have retrieved his fortunes; and indeed I have very little doubt that I might.
Burlesques|William Makepeace Thackeray
Gramps twitched it free, retrieved his line, and turned to Bud.
The Black Fawn|James Arthur Kjelgaard

British Dictionary definitions for retrieved

retrieve

/ (rɪˈtriːv) /

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.

retrieve

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

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

noun

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Origin of retrieve

Examples from the Web for retrieved

British Dictionary definitions for retrieved

retrieve

verb (mainly tr)

noun

Word Origin for retrieve

Word Origin and History for retrieved

retrieve