Etymology dictionary

removable (adj.) — repertoire (n.)

removable (adj.)

early 15c., remevable, "capable of being removed" from an office or station; 1530s as "capable of being moved from one place to another;" from remove (v.) + -able. Related: Removability.

early 14c., remouven, remuvien, remēven, "take (something) away; dismiss" from an office, post or situation; from Old French removoir "move, stir; leave, depart; take away," from Latin removere "move back or away, take away, put out of view, subtract," from re- "back, away" (see re-) + movere "to move" (from PIE root *meue- "to push away").

Sense of "go away, leave, depart, move" from a position occupied is from late 14c.; the intransitive sense of "change (one's) place, move from one place to another" also is from 14c. Related: Removed; removing.

removal (n.)

1590s, "act of taking away entirely;" see remove (v.) + -al (2). From 1640s specifically as "dismissal from an office or a post," also "act of changing one's habitation." Also occasionally a quasi-euphemism for "murder." The earlier noun was remove (n.); also removing, remeving (late 14c.).

remove (n.)

1550s, "act of removing" (a person, from office, etc.); 1580s, "change of place;" from remove (v.). Sense of "distance or space by which any thing is removed from another" is attested from 1620s.

removed (adj.)

"distant in relationship" (by some expressed degree, for example first cousin once removed), 1540s, from past participle of remove (v.). Meaning "remote, separated, secluded" from something is from 1610s.

remunerative (adj.)

1620s, "inclined to remunerate" (a sense now obsolete), from remunerate + -ive. From 1670s as "that remunerates, rewarding;" by 1859 specifically as "profitable, yielding a sufficient return." Related: Remuneratively; remunerativeness. An earlier adjective was remuneratory (1580s).

remunerate (v.)

1520s, "to recompense, pay (someone) for work done or services rendered," usually in a good sense, back-formation from remuneration or else from Latin remuneratus, past participle of remunerari (later remunerare) "repay, reward," from re- "back" (see re-) + munerari "to give," from munus (genitive muneris) "gift, office, duty" (see municipal).

The sense of "reward or pay for services rendered or work done" is by 1580s. Of things, "to recompense," by 1849. Related: Remunerated; remunerating; remunerable.

remuneration (n.)

c. 1400, remuneracioun, "reward, recompense, payment," from Old French remuneracion and directly from Latin remunerationem (nominative remuneratio) "a repaying, recompense," noun of action from past-participle stem of remunerari "to pay, reward," from re- "back" (see re-) + munerari "to give," from munus (genitive muneris) "gift, office, duty" (see municipal).

remuster (n.)

"a remustering of troops," mid-15c., remoustre, from re- "again" + moustre (n.); see muster.

Remy Martin (n.)

proprietary name of a type of cognac, from French Rémy Martin, from the name of the founder (1724).

Renaissance (n.)

"great period of revival of classical-based art and learning in Europe that began in the fourteenth century," 1840, from French renaissance des lettres, from Old French renaissance, literally "rebirth," usually in a spiritual sense, from renastre "grow anew" (of plants), "be reborn" (Modern French renaître), from Vulgar Latin *renascere, from Latin renasci "be born again, rise again, reappear, be renewed," from re- "again" (see re-) + nasci "be born" (Old Latin gnasci, from PIE root *gene- "give birth, beget").

An earlier term for it was revival of learning (1785). In general usage, with a lower-case r-, "a revival" of anything that has long been in decay or disuse (especially of learning, literature, art), it is attested by 1855.

As an adjective, "of or pertaining to the Renaissance," by 1842.

Renaissance man is attested by 1885, literally, "a man alive during the Renaissance." By 1898 it was used particularly to express "exhibiting the virtues and characteristics of an idealized man of the Renaissance" (humanism, scholarship, varied attainments, freedom of thought and personality); in reference to modern or living persons, it is attested by 1949 and sometimes means merely "well-rounded."

renal (adj.)

"of or pertaining to the kidneys," 1650s, from French rénal and directly from Late Latin renalis "of or belonging to kidneys," from Latin ren (plural renes) "kidneys," a word of of uncertain etymology, with possible cognates in Old Irish aru "kidney, gland," Welsh arenn "kidney, testicle," Hittite hah(ha)ari "lung(s), midriff." Also possibly related are Old Prussian straunay, Lithuanian strėnos "loins," Latvian streina "loins." "The semantic shift from 'loins' to 'kidneys' is quite conceivable" [de Vaan].

rename (v.)

also re-name, "to name anew or again, name a second time," 1650s; see re- "back, again" + name (v.). Related: Renamed; renaming.

renascent (adj.)

"springing or rising into being again," 1727, from Latin renascentem (nominative renascens), present participle of renasci "be born again" (see Renaissance).

renascence (n.)

1727, "rebirth; state of being reborn or born anew," from renascent + -ence. As a more classical native alternative to The Renaissance, it was used from 1868, first by Matthew Arnold.

But see Fowler under Renaissance. Related: Renascency (1660s in a general sense).

rend (v.)

Middle English renden "tear a hole in, slash from top to bottom, separate in parts with force or sudden violence," from Old English rendan, hrendan "to tear, cut down," from Proto-West Germanic *rendan (source also of Old Frisian renda "to cut, break," Middle Low German rende "anything broken," German Rinde "bark, crust"), which is probably related to the noun source of rind. In Middle English also torenden. Related: Rended; rent; rending.

rend (n.)

"a torn place, a split or opening made by tearing," 1660s, from rend (v.). Rent (1530s), from the alternative form of the verb, or from past tense of the verb, was more usual as a noun, but it tended to be confused with the other noun rent.

render (v.)

late 14c., rendren, rendre, "repeat, say again, recite; translate," from Old French rendre "give back, present, yield" (10c.) and Medieval Latin rendere, from Vulgar Latin *rendere, a variant of Latin reddere "give back, return, restore," from red- "back" (see re-) + combining form of dare "to give" (from PIE root *do- "to give").

The alteration in Vulgar Latin was perhaps simply nasalization or perhaps on analogy of its antonym, prendre "to take" (itself a contraction of prehendere). The irregular retention of -er in a French verb in English is perhaps to avoid confusion with native rend (v.) or by influence of a Middle English legalese noun render "a payment of rent," which is in part from French noun use of the infinitive.

The sense of "reduce," in reference to fats, "clarify by boiling or steaming" also is from late 14c. The meaning "hand over, yield up, deliver" is recorded from c. 1400; sense of "to return" (thanks, a verdict, etc.) is attested from late 15c., as is that of "make or cause to be) in a certain state; the meaning "represent, depict" is attested from 1590s. Related: Rendered; renderer; rendering. Also compare rendition, rent (n.1).

rendering (n.)

mid-15c., "a giving back, yielding, action of restoring," verbal noun from render (v.). Meaning "a translation, act of translating" is from 1640s; that of "extracting or melting of fat" is from 1792. The visual and dramatic arts sense of "reproduction, representation" is from 1862. The earlier noun was simply render (late 14c.).

render (n.1)

"one who tears by violence," 1580s, agent noun from rend (v.).

render (n.2)

late 14c., rendre, a legal term, "act of yielding, giving, or restoring; a return, a payment," especially of rent; see render (v.). Probably at least in part from French noun use of the infinitive.

rendezvous (n.)

1590s, "place appointed for assembling of troops," from French rendez-vous, noun use of rendez vous "present yourselves," from the wording of orders, from rendez, second person plural imperative of rendre "to present" (see render (v.)) + vous "you" (from Latin vos, from PIE *wos- "you" (plural)). General sense of "appointed place of meeting" is attested from 1590s; from c. 1600 as "a meeting held by appointment."

rendezvous (v.)

"assemble at a particular place," 1640s, from rendezvous (n.).

rendition (n.)

c. 1600, "fact of yielding up," originally especially "surrender of a place or possession," from obsolete French rendition "a rendering," noun of action from Old French rendre "to deliver, to yield" (see render (v.)). Latin redditio meant "a giving back."

Meaning "translation, act of translating" is by 1650s; that of "a giving out, an acting, a performing" is by 1858 [Bartlett], American English.

renege (v.)

1540s, renegue, "deny, renounce, abandon" (archaic), from Medieval Latin renegare, from Latin re-, here perhaps an intensive prefix (see re-), + negare "to refuse" (from PIE root *ne- "not").

The meaning "change one's mind, go back on (one's word or promise)" is by 1784. OED identifies this as "orig. and chiefly U.S.," and adds that it is "Now the dominant sense," in the spelling renege. Three of its first four examples of it in this sense spell it renig, renigged. Related: Reneged; reneging.

renegade (n.)

1580s, "an apostate from a religious faith," probably (with change of suffix) from Spanish renegado (also the form of the English word in Hakluyt, etc.), originally "a Christian turned Muslim," from Medieval Latin renegatus, noun use of past participle of renegare "deny" (see renege).

The general sense of "turncoat, one who deserts to an enemy" is from 1660s. The form renegate, directly from Medieval Latin, is attested in English from late 14c. As an adjective from 1705.

renegotiate (v.)

also re-negotiate, "negotiate (a contract, treaty, etc.) again or anew," 1844, from re- "again" + negotiate (v.). Related: Renegotiated; renegotiating; renegotiation.

renewal (n.)

"act of renewing or forming anew," 1680s, from renew (v.) + -al (2). Specific meaning "urban redevelopment" is attested by 1965, American English. An earlier noun was simply renew (early 15c., reneue).

renew (v.)

late 14c., reneuen, "make (something) like new, refurbish; begin (an activity) again; replenish, replace with a fresh supply; restore (a living thing) to a vigorous or flourishing state," also figurative, of spiritual states, souls, etc.; from re- "again" + Middle English newen, neuen "resume, revive, renew" (see new). A Latin-Germanic hybrid formed on analogy of Latin renovare. From early 15c. as "be restored, flourish once more." Related: Renewed; renewing.

renewable (adj.)

"capable of being renewed," 1727, of a lease, etc., from renew (v.) + -able. In reference to energy sources, "not depletable by utilization," attested by 1971. Related: Renewability.

reniform (adj.)

in science, "having the form or shape of a (human) kidney," 1753, from Latin renes "kidneys" (see renal) + -form.

renin (n.)

enzyme found in kidneys, 1894, from German Renin, from Latin renes "kidneys" (see renal) + -in (2).

renminbi (n.)

currency introduced 1948 in China, from Chinese renminbi, from renmin "people" + bi "currency."

rennet (n.1)

"inner membrane in the stomach of an unweaned calf or other animal," used for making cheese, etc.; also the mass of curdled milk found in the stomach, mid-15c., probably from an unrecorded Old English *rynet, related to gerennan "cause to run together," because it makes milk run or curdle; from Proto-Germanic *rannijanan, causative of *renwanan "to run" (from PIE root *rei- "to run, flow"). Compare German rinnen "to run," gerinnen "to curdle." Hence, "anything used to curdle milk."

rennet (n.2)

variety of apple, mid-15c., renette, from Old French rainette, diminutive of raine, reine "frog," from Latin rana "frog," which probably is imitative of croaking (compare frog (n.1)). If so, so called for its speckled skin like a frog's. The other possibility is that the Old French name of the apple is literally "little queen," a diminutive of reine "queen," from Latin regina (see Regina). OED, which leans toward this suggestion, suggests the other is folk etymology.

rennin (n.)

milk-curdling enzyme, 1897, from rennet (n.1) + -in (2).

renominate (v.)

also re-nominate, "nominate again or anew, nominate a second time," by 1828, from re- "again" + nominate (v.). Related: Renominated; renominating; renomination (1813 in Monroe's letters).

renounce (v.)

late 14c., renouncen, "give up (something, especially to another), resign, surrender," from Old French renoncier "give up, cede" (12c., Modern French renoncer) and directly from Latin renuntiare "bring back word; proclaim; protest against, renounce," from re- "against" (see re-) + nuntiare "to report, announce," from nuntius "messenger" (from PIE root *neu- "to shout").

The sense of "abandon, discontinue" (a habit, practice, etc.) is from late 15c.. That of "disclaim relationship with or allegiance to" a person is by c. 1500. That of "to abandon or give up" a belief, opinion, etc. by open recantation, declare against" is from 1530s. Related: Renounced; renouncing; renouncement.

renovation (n.)

c. 1400, renovacyoun, in theology, "spiritual rebirth wrought by the Holy Spirit," also in a general sense, "rebuilding, reconstruction; a making new after decay, destruction, or impairment," from Old French renovacion (13c.) and directly from Latin renovationem (nominative renovatio) "a renewing, renewal; a rest," noun of action from past-participle stem of renovare "renew, restore," from re- "again" (see re-) + novare "make new," from novus "new" (see new).

renovate (v.)

1520s, "render as good as new (materially), restore to a good condition," a back-formation from renovation or else from Latin renovatus, past participle of renovare "renew, restore." Related: Renovated; renovating.

Earlier verbs were renovelen "renew, repair, rebuild" (early 14c., from Old French renoveler); renoven "become renewed; renew," early 15c., from Old French renover from Latin renovare). Later, renovize was tried as a contraction of renovate and modernize (1933).

renown (n.)

c. 1300, renoun, "fame or glory attaching to a person, place, etc.; reputation," especially good reputation, "state of having an exalted name," from Anglo-French renoun, Old French renon "renown, fame, reputation," from renomer "make famous," from re-, here perhaps "repeatedly" (see re-) + nomer "to name," from Latin nominare "to name" (see nominate).

Medieval Latin had renominare "to make famous;" Old French renominer seems to have meant "name over, repeat, rename." The Middle English verb reknouen, renouen "make known, acknowledge" has been assimilated to the noun via renowned. In old German university slang, a reknowner (German renommist) was "a boaster, a swaggerer."

renowned (adj.)

"celebrated, famous," late 14c., past-participle adjective from renounen "make (a name) famous, honored, or celebrated," c. 1400, from renown (n.). The verb is obsolete except for this derivative.

rent (n.2)

"torn place, opening made by rending or tearing," 1530s, noun use of Middle English renten "to tear, rend" (early 14c.), a variant of renden (see rend (v.)). Of clefts or fissures in the earth by 1702.

rent (n.1)

[payment for use of property], mid-12c., in a legal sense, "compensation made periodically, with reference to time of possession and use of property," from Old French rente "payment due; profit, income" and Medieval Latin renta, both from Vulgar Latin *rendita, noun use of fem. past participle of *rendere "to render" (see render (v.)).

It came into English earlier in a more general, and now obsolete, sense of "income, revenue" (late Old English). The sense in political economy, "what is left from the produce of the soil after deducting what is necessary to support the producers, interest, seed-corn, etc.," is by 1815. Rent-free is attested from 1630s.

rent (v.)

mid-15c., renten, "to rent out property, grant possession and enjoyment of in exchange for a consideration paid in the nature of rent," from Old French renter "pay dues to," or from rent (n.1). Related: Rented; renting.

Earlier (mid-14c.) it was used in the more general sense of "provide with revenue, endow with income." The sense of "to take and hold in exchange for rent" is from 1520s. The intransitive sense of "be leased for rent" is from 1784.

Prefix rent-a- is attested by 1921, mainly of businesses that rented various makes of car (Rentacar is a trademark registered in U.S. 1924); extended to other "temporary" uses since 1961.

rental (n.)

late 14c., "rent roll, schedule or account of rents;" also "income from rents," from Anglo-French rental and Medieval Latin rentale; see rent (n.1) + -al (2). Meaning "amount charged for rent, gross amount of rents drawn from an estate" is from 1630s. In reference to a car or house let for rent, by 1952, American English. As an adjective by 1510s.

renter (n.)

late 14c. (late 13c. as a surname), "one who lets or rents to others, proprietor; one who collects rent," agent noun from rent (v.). Also in Middle English "dwelling place for which rent is paid" (early 15c.). Meaning "lessee, tenant, holder of property by payment of rent" is from 1650s. In early use this was often in reference to estates; later it was more commonly of tenement or apartment lessees.

rentier (n.)

"one who has a fixed income from investment" (in land, stocks, etc.), 1847, from French rentier, "holder of rental properties or investments that pay income," from rente "profit, income" (see rent (n.1), the old, broader sense of which survives in this).

renumber (v.)

also re-number, "count again; fix a new number to," early 15c., from re- "again" + number (v.). Related: Renumbered; renumbering. Middle English also had renombren (mid-15c.), from Old French renombrer.

renumerate (v.)

"count over, number again," 1650s; see re- "again" + numerate (v.). Related: Renumerated; renumerating; renumeration (1590s).

renunciation (n.)

late 14c., renunciacioun, "action of renouncing, abdication, a disowning or disclaiming," also Anglo-French renunciacion (mid-14c.), from Old French renonciacion and directly from Latin renuntiationem (nominative renuntiatio), in classical Latin, "a declaration, proclamation," noun of action from past-participle stem of renuntiare "renounce" (see renounce). A back-formed verb renunciate sometimes appeared in thorough dictionaries and inattentive newspaper columns.

reobtain (v.)

also re-obtain, "to get again," 1580s, from re- "again" + obtain (v.). Related: Reobtained; reobtaining; reobtainable.

reoccupy (v.)

also re-occupy, "occupy (a place or position) anew," 1731, from re- "back, again" + occupy (v.). Related: Reoccupied; reoccupying; reoccupation.

reoccur (v.)

also re-occur, "to occur again," 1803; see re- "back, again" + occur. Compare recur. Related: Reoccurred; reoccurring.

reoccurrence (n.)

also re-occurrence, "a further occurrence," 1804; see re- "again" + occurrence. Also compare recurrence.

reopen (v.)

also re-open, 1733, transitive, "open (a theater, a question, etc.) again," from re- "again" + open (v.). Intransitive sense of "open anew" is by 1830. Related: Reopened; reopening.

reorder (v.)

also re-order, c. 1600, "to set in order again, arrange anew," from re- + order (v.). From 1810 as "repeat a command." Commercial sense of "place a new order for" (a thing) is from 1810. Related: Reordered; reordering.

reorganize (v.)

also re-organize, "bring again into an organized state," 1680s, from re- "again" + organize (v.). Related: Reorganized; reorganizing.

reorganization (n.)

also re-organization, "act or process of organizing anew," 1801, in translations from French, from French reorganisation or a native noun of action from reorganize.

reorient (v.)

also re-orient, 1897, transitive, "give a new direction to;" 1937, intransitive, "adjust (to), come to terms with, adopt a new direction;" from re- "back, again" + orient (v.) or perhaps a back-formation from reorientation. Related: Reoriented; reorienting. Alternative reorientate is recorded from 1913. Tennyson uses reorient as an adjective, "arising again or anew."

reorientation (n.)

also re-orientation, "action or process of reorienting, a fresh orientation," 1893, from re- "again, anew" + orientation.

reovirus (n.)

1959, coined by U.S. medical researcher Dr. Albert B. Sabin (1906-1993), with virus + acronym for respiratory enteric orphan; "orphan" because it was not connected to any of the diseases it is associated with.

rep (2)

type of corded fabric, by 1860, from French reps, which is of unknown origin.

rep (1)

1705 as abbreviation of reputation (n.); upon rep "I swear it" was a common 18c. slang asseveration. As a shortening of repetition (n.) it is recorded from 1864, originally school slang; as a shortening of representative (n.), especially (but not originally) "sales representative," it is attested from 1896. As an abbreviation of repertory (company) it is recorded from 1925.

repack (v.)

also re-pack, "to pack a second time, pack over again," 1610s, from re- "again" + pack (v.). Related: Repacked; repacking (late 15c. as a verbal noun).

repay (v.)

mid-15c., repaien, "pay back, refund," from Old French repaier, repaiier, "pay back, give in return," from re- "back" (see re-) + payer "to pay" (see pay (v.)).

The sense of "give (one thing) in return for (another)" is from 1550s; that of "make return, retribution, or requital for," in a good or bad sense is by 1590s. Related: Repaid; repaying; repayable.

repaint (v.)

also re-paint, "paint again," literally or figuratively, 1700, from re- "again" + paint (v.). Related: Repainted; repainting.

repair (n.1)

c. 1400, repaire, "maintenance, restoration;" 1590s, "act of restoring, restoration to a sound or good state after decay," from repair (v.1). Meaning "state or condition in respect to reparation" is from c. 1600, especially "good or sound condition kept up by repairing as needed." Repair-shop attested by 1877.

repairable (adj.)

"able to be fixed," late 15c., from repair (v.1) + -able. Related: Repairability. Compare reparable.

repair (v.1)

"to mend, put back in order, restore to a sound, good, or complete condition," mid-14c., reparen, from Old French reparer "repair, mend" (12c.) and directly from Latin reparare "restore, put back in order," from re- "again" (see re-) + parare "make ready, prepare" (from PIE root *pere- (1) "to produce, procure").

The sense of "make amends for injury by an equivalent, make good" is by 1560s. Related: Repaired; repairing.

repair (v.2)

c. 1300, repairen, "go (to a specified place), arrive, make one's way, betake oneself," from Old French repairer, repairier "to return, come back, to frequent, to return (to one's country)," earlier repadrer, from Late Latin repatriare "return to one's own country" (see repatriate). Related: Repaired; repairing; repairment.

repair (n.2)

early 14c., "act of betaking (oneself) to a (specific) place," from repair (v.2). Sense of "place to which one repairs, a haunt or resort" is from late 14c.

reparative (adj.)

"capable of effecting or tending to effect repairs," 1650s, with -ive + stem of Latin reparare "restore, repair" (see repair (v.1)). The meaning "pertaining to reparations, pertaining to the remedying of some wrong" is from 1690s.

reparation (n.)

late 14c., reparacioun, "repair, act of mending" (a sense now rare or obsolete), also "amends, compensation, recompense, satisfaction for injury, what is done to repair a wrong," from Old French reparacion and directly from Late Latin reparationem (nominative reparatio) "act of repairing, restoration," noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin reparare "restore, repair" (see repair (v.1)).

Reparations "compensation for war damaged owed by the aggressor" is attested from 1921, with reference to Germany, from French réparations (1919).

reparable (adj.)

"capable of being repaired," 1560s, from French reparable (16c.), from Latin reparabilis "able to be restored or regained," from reparare "restore" (see repair (v.1)). Fowler (1926) notes that reparable "is used almost only of abstracts, such as loss, injury, mistake, which are to be made up for or have their effects neutralized," while repairable is used "chiefly of material things that need mending."

repart (v.)

1570s, "divide up, share, distribute," from re- "again" + part (v.). Related: Reparted; reparting.

repartee (n.)

1640s, "a quick, pertinent, witty remark," from French repartie "an answering blow or thrust" (originally a fencing term), noun use of fem. past participle of Old French repartir "to reply promptly, start out again," from re- "back" (see re-) + partir "to divide, separate, set out," from Latin partiri "to share, part, distribute, divide," from pars "a part, piece, a share" (from PIE root *pere- (2) "to grant, allot").

In 17c. often spelled reparty (see -ee). Meaning "a series of sharp rejoinders exchanged; such replies collectively; the kind of wit involved in making them" is by 1680s.

repartition (n.)

1550s, "partition, distribution," especially of troops or their quarters, from re-, here perhaps intensive, + partition (n.). From 1835 as "a repeated or fresh allotment."

repass (v.)

c. 1400, repassen, "return come back" (over the sea); mid-15c., "pass again in returning," from Old French repasser; see re- "again" + pass (v.). The transitive meaning "pass again" in any sense is by 1610s. Related: Repassed; repassing.

repassage (n.)

"passage back, return, liberty or right of return through another land," early 15c., from Old French repassage; see re- + passage.

repast (n.)

late 14c., repaste, "a meal, a feast; food, nourishment, act of taking food," from Old French repast (Modern French repas) "a meal, food," from Late Latin repastus "meal" (also source of Spanish repasto), noun use of past participle of repascere "to feed again," from re- "repeatedly" (see re-) + Latin pascere "to graze" (from PIE root *pa- "to feed"). The verb, "refresh oneself with food" (intransitive), is from late 15c.

repatriate (v.)

"restore to one's own country," 1610s, from Late Latin repatriatus, past participle of repatriare "return to one's country," from re- "back" (see re-) + patria "native land" (see patriot). Related: Repatriated; repatriating.

repatriation (n.)

"return or restoration to one's own country," 1590s, from Late Latin repatriationem (nominative repatriatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of repatriare "return to one's own country," from re- "back" (see re-) + Latin patria "native land" (see patriot).

repayment (n.)

early 15c., repaiement, "act of repaying or paying back," from re- "back, again" + payment.

repeal (v.)

late 14c., repēlen, "revoke, rescind, annul; withdraw (a privilege, etc.); repudiate (one's behavior)," from Anglo-French repeler (mid-14c.), Old French rapeler "call back, call in, call after, revoke" (Modern French rappeler), from re- "back" (see re-) + apeler "to call" (later appeler; see appeal (v.)). Related: Repealed; repealing; repealable.

repeal (n.)

late 15c. (Caxton), "a recall," as from an exile (a sense now obsolete), from repeal (v.), or from Anglo-French repel, Old French rapel (Modern French rappel) "a recall appeal," back-formation from rapeler. The sense of "revocation, abrogation" is from c. 1500.

repeated (adj.)

"frequent," 1610s, past-participle adjective from repeat (v.). Related: Repeatedly.

repeat (n.)

mid-15c., repete, in music, "a repeated passage, a passage performed a second time," from repeat (v.). By 1660s in reference to the sign in musical notation which indicates this. By 1937 of a repetition of a broadcast program.

repeater (n.)

"one who repeats or rehearses," in any sense, 1570s, agent noun from repeat (v.). As a type of watch, by 1725; as "a repeating firearm," from 1849; as "a frequent offender" from 1868. Also in U.S. history, "one who votes more than once in the same election" (1868).

repeat (v.)

late 14c., repēten "to say what one has already said," from Old French repeter "say or do again, get back, demand the return of" (13c., Modern French répéeter) and directly from Latin repetere "do or say again; attack again," from re- "again" (see re-) + petere "to go to; attack; strive after; ask for, beseech" (from PIE root *pet- "to rush, to fly").

Meaning "say what another has said" is from 1590s. As an emphatic word in radio broadcasts, 1938. Meaning "do over again; do, make, or perform again" is from 1550s; the specific meaning "to take a course of education over again" is recorded from 1945, American English. Intransitive sense of "perform some distinctive (but unspecified) function again or a second time" is by 1714. Related: Repeated; repeating.

repellent (adj.)

also repellant, "having the effect of repelling," 1640s, from Latin repellentem (nominative repelens), present participle of repellere (see repel). Originally of medicines that reduce tumors; the meaning "morally repelling, repulsive, distasteful, disagreeable" is recorded by 1797.

By 1805 in the specific sense of "capable of repelling water, impervious to moisture."

repel (v.)

early 15c., "to drive away, remove, quench" (a sense now obsolete), from Old French repeller and directly from Latin repellere "to drive back," from re- "back" (see re-) + pellere "to drive, strike" (from PIE root *pel- (5) "to thrust, strike, drive").

The sense of "encounter (an invader, etc.) with effectual resistance, resist, oppose" is from mid-15c. The meaning "to affect (a person) with distaste or aversion" is by 1817. Related: Repelled; repelling.

repellent (n.)

also repellant, 1660s, "agent or medicine that reduces tumors," from repellent (adj.). As "substance that repels insects," 1908.

repentant (adj.)

"penitent, contrite, sorry for past sins, words, or deeds," early 13c., repentaunt, from Old French repentant "penitent" (12c.), present participle of repentir (see repent).

repentance (n.)

c. 1300, repentaunce, "state of being penitent, sorrow and contrition for sin or wrongdoing resulting in vigorous abandonment of it in one's life," from Old French repentance "penitence" (12c.), from present-participle stem of repentir (see repent).

repent (v.)

c. 1300, repenten, "be grieved over one's past and seek forgiveness; feel such regret for sins, crimes, or omissions as produces amendment of life," from Old French repentir (11c.), from re-, here perhaps used as an intensive prefix, "very much" (see re-), + Vulgar Latin *penitire "to regret," from Latin poenitire "make sorry," from poena (see penal).

The distinction between regret (q.v.) and repent is made in many modern languages, but is absent in older periods. To repent is to regret so deeply as to change the mind or course of conduct in consequence and develop new mental and spiritual habits. Also from c. 1300 in Middle English and after in an impersonal reflexive sense, especially as (it) repenteth (me, him, etc.).

Related: Repented; repenting.

repeople (v.)

also re-people, "to populate again, fill again with people," late 15c.; see re- "again" + people (v.). Related: Repeopled; repeopling.

repercuss (v.)

early 15c. (Chauliac), "reduce swelling by repelling the humor causing it," from Latin repercusus, past participle of repercutere "to strike or beat back" (see repercussion). General sense of "beat or drive back" is from c. 1500. Related: Repercussed; repercussing.

repercussion (n.)

early 15c., repercussioun, "act of driving back," from Old French répercussion (14c.) or directly from Latin repercusionem (nominative repercussio), noun of action from past-participle stem of repercutere "to strike or beat back; shine back, reflect; echo," from re- "back" (see re-) + percutere "to strike or thrust through" (see percussion).

Originally in medicine (Chauliac) with a specific sense of "act of driving back humors." Meaning "reverberation, echo" first recorded 1590s; the metaphoric extension is recorded from 1620s.

repercussive (adj.)

late 14c., repercussif, "having the power to drive back" (originally in medicine, in reference to excessive concentrations of a humor), from Old French repercussif and directly from Medieval Latin repercussivus, from Latin repercuss-, past-participle stem of repercutere "to strike or beat back" (see repercussion). Related: Repercussively; repercussiveness.

repertoire (n.)

"a stock of plays, songs, etc., which a performer or company has studied and is ready to perform," 1847, from French répertoire, literally "index, list" (14c.), from Late Latin repertorium "inventory" (see repertory).