reconstitute
|re-con-sti-tute|
🇺🇸
/ˌriːˈkɑːn.stə.tut/
🇬🇧
/ˌriːˈkɒn.stɪ.tjuːt/
restored to original state
Etymology
'reconstitute' originates from Latin, specifically from the prefix 're-' and the verb 'constituere', where 're-' meant 'again' and 'constituere' meant 'to set up, establish'.
'reconstitute' developed from Late Latin forms (past participle/re- + constitut-), passed into French as 'reconstituer' and then into English as 'reconstitute'.
Initially, it carried the sense 'set up again' or 'establish again'; over time it broadened to include restoring something to a former state (physically, organizationally, or figuratively).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to restore a dried or concentrated substance to its original or usable state by adding water or another liquid (e.g., powdered milk, soup).
You can reconstitute powdered milk by adding warm water.
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Verb 2
to form again or reconstruct something from its parts; to reorganize or re-establish a body, committee, or organization.
After the election, the board was reconstituted with several new members.
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Verb 3
to restore to a former or original condition or status (broader, often figurative use).
Efforts were made to reconstitute the legal framework after the crisis.
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Last updated: 2025/09/25 14:40