'reappear' originates from the prefix 're-' meaning 'again' and the verb 'appear' from Latin 'apparere', where 'ad-' meant 'to' and 'parere' meant 'come into view'.

'apparere' transformed into the Old French word 'apareir', and eventually became the modern English word 'appear'. The prefix 're-' was added to form 'reappear'.

Initially, it meant 'to come into view again', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.