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regenerate

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Definition of regenerate

verb

Pronunciation: /rɪˈdʒɛnəreɪt/

[with object]

1(of a living organism) grow (new tissue) after loss or damage:the lizard has to find the wherewithal to regenerate its tail
[no object] (of an organ or tissue) grow again:once destroyed, brain cells do not regenerate

2bring new and more vigorous life to (an area, industry, institution, etc.); revive, especially in economic terms:the money will be used to regenerate the heart of the town
(especially in Christian use) give a new and higher spiritual nature to: he believed that it was possible to regenerate people

3 (usually as adjective regenerated) Chemistry precipitate (a natural polymer, especially cellulose or a protein) as fibres following chemical processing: regenerated cellulose

adjective

Pronunciation: /rɪˈdʒɛn(ə)rət/

reformed or reborn, especially in a spiritual or moral sense:he was not truly regenerate

Derivatives

regenerator

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 US English dictionary

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