rehydration
|re-hy-dra-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌriːhaɪˈdreɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌriːhaɪˈdreɪʃ(ə)n/
(rehydrate)
restore moisture
Etymology
'rehydration' originates from Latin (prefix 're-') combined with 'hydration', ultimately from Greek. The element 're-' meant 'again' in Latin, and the root 'hydor' (Greek) meant 'water'.
'hydor' (Greek for 'water') passed into Late Latin/Medieval Latin as 'hydr-' (seen in Neo-Latin 'hydratus'), influenced later French and English forms like 'hydrate'. The verb 'rehydrate' (re- + hydrate) developed in modern English, and the noun form 'rehydration' was formed with the suffix '-ation'.
Initially related simply to 'water' or 'wetting' (adding water). Over time it has come to be used specifically for restoring water or fluids to biological tissues, foods, or materials — often with clinical or technical implications.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process of restoring water or moisture to something (e.g., tissues, food, soil).
After the long run, rehydration is essential to recover performance.
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Noun 2
a medical or clinical procedure to restore lost body fluids and electrolytes (e.g., oral rehydration therapy or intravenous fluids).
Oral rehydration is often used to treat children with diarrhea.
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Noun 3
the reconstitution of dehydrated or dried foods and materials by adding water (e.g., rehydration of dried mushrooms).
Rehydration of the dried mushrooms restored their original texture and flavor.
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Last updated: 2025/09/08 01:40