revivify

English

Etymology

Partly from French revivifier and partly from Latin revivificare, corresponding to re- +‎ vivify.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɹiːˈvɪvɪfʌɪ/

Verb

revivify (third-person singular simple present revivifies, present participle revivifying, simple past and past participle revivified)

1. (transitive) To reanimate, bring back to life.
   • 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “Knights and Squires”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC, page 125:

     His pure tight skin was an excellent fit; and closely wrapped up in it, and embalmed with inner health and strength, like a revivified Egyptian, this Starbuck seemed prepared to endure for long ages to come, and to endure always, as now; […]

2. (transitive) To reinvigorate or revitalize.
   • 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin, published 2003, page 256:

     Despite the patrician allure of much that Choiseul attempted, a renovating, technocratic spirit was abroad during his tenure of office which sought to rationalize and revivify government service [...].

3. (chemistry, transitive, now rare) To reactivate (a catalyst, reagent etc.).
4. (chemistry, intransitive, now rare) To become effective again as a reagent etc.