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regenerate

Syllabification: (re·gen·er·ate)
Translate regenerate | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of regenerate

verb

Pronunciation: /riˈjenəˌrāt/
[with object]
  • (of a living organism) regrow (new tissue) to replace lost or injured tissue:a crab in the process of regenerating a claw
  • [no object] (of an organ or tissue) regrow:once destroyed, brain cells do not regenerate
  • bring into renewed existence; generate again:the issue was regenerated last month
  • bring new and more vigorous life to (an area or institution), especially in economic terms; revive:regenerating the inner cities
  • (especially in Christian use) give a new and higher spiritual nature to.
  • (usually as adjective regenerated) Chemistry precipitate (a natural polymer such as cellulose) in a different form following chemical processing, especially in the form of fibers.

adjective

Pronunciation: /riˈjenərət/
  • reformed or reborn, especially in a spiritual or moral sense.

Derivatives

regenerator

Pronunciation: /-ˌrātər/
noun

Origin:

late Middle English (as an adjective): from Latin regeneratus 'created again', past participle of regenerare, from re- 'again' + generare 'create'. The verb dates from the mid 16th century

regenerate in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of regenerate in the British & World English dictionary