revive

[ri-vahyv]

verb (used with object)

revived, reviving 

1. to activate, set in motion, or take up again; renew.

   to revive old feuds.

   Synonyms: reactivate

2. to restore to life or consciousness.

   We revived him with artificial respiration.

   Synonyms: resuscitate, reanimate, revitalize
   Antonyms: kill

3. to put on or show (an old play or motion picture) again.

4. to make operative or valid again.

   Synonyms: reactivate

5. to bring back into notice, use, or currency.

   to revive a subject of discussion.

6. to quicken or renew in the mind; bring back.

   to revive memories.

   Synonyms: refresh, rouse

7. to reanimate or cheer (the spirit, heart, etc., or a person).

8. Chemistry.,  to restore or reduce to the natural or uncombined state, as a metal.

verb (used without object)

revived, reviving 

1. to return to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, or a flourishing condition.

2. to recover from financial depression.

3. to be quickened, restored, or renewed, as hope, confidence, suspicions, or memories.

4. to return to notice, use, or currency, as a subject, practice, or doctrine.

5. to become operative or valid again.

6. Chemistry.,  to recover the natural or uncombined state, as a metal.

revive

/ rɪˈvaɪv /

verb

1. to bring or be brought back to life, consciousness, or strength; resuscitate or be resuscitated

   revived by a drop of whisky

2. to give or assume new vitality; flourish again or cause to flourish again

3. to make or become operative or active again

   the youth movement was revived

4. to bring or come into use or currency again

   to revive a language

5. (tr) to take up again

   he revived his old hobby

6. to bring or come back to mind

7. (tr) theatre to mount a new production of (an old play)

Other Word Forms

• revivable adjective
• revivability noun
• revivably adverb
• reviver noun
• revivingly adverb
• unrevivable adjective
• unrevived adjective
• reviving adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of revive¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English reviven, from Latin revīvere “to live again,” from re- re- + vīvere “to live” ( vital )

Word History and Origins

Origin of revive¹

C15: from Old French revivre to live again, from Latin revīvere , from _re- + vīvere to live; see _vivid

Example Sentences

Portsmouth were on the brink of bankruptcy when he bought them in 1999 before being revived under his stewardship in a pattern which would earn him a reputation as football's 'Mr Fixit'.

From BBC

One element was the idea of an independent Palestine next to Israel, the two-state solution which the UK and other Western countries have tried to revive by recognising Palestine.

From BBC

So, while flipping Congress to the Democrats would revive the possibility of checks and balances, I’m leery of putting too many of my hopes into next year’s midterm elections.

From Salon

If being replaced by Nat Sciver-Brunt meant one part of Knight's identity was lost, there was another that had lain dormant, ready to be revived and unleashed.

From BBC

It isn't "finicky" like some, can be frozen and revived without trouble, and is unusually good at hosting foreign DNA.

From BBC

Related Words

• arouse 
• encourage 
• energize 
• invigorate 
• overcome 
• quicken 
• recover 
• rejuvenate 
• rekindle 
• renew 
• renovate 
• repair 
• restore 
• resurrect 
• resuscitate 
• revitalize 
• strengthen