reclaim
UK: rɪˈkleɪm | US: rɪˈkleɪm
vt. to retrieve or recover something previously lost or given up
vt. to bring wasteland or unused land back to a useful state (e.g., agriculture)
vt. to assert one's right to something
reclaim = re<again/back> + claim<to call/assert>
- re: Prefix from Latin re-, meaning "again" or "back," indicating repetition or restoration.
- claim: Root from Latin clamare (to shout/call), evolving to mean "to assert a right or demand."
Etymology Origin:
The word "reclaim" originated in Middle English from Old French reclamer, itself derived from Latin reclamare (to cry out against/protest). The prefix re- emphasizes restoration ("back"), while claim retains its core idea of asserting ownership or rights. Historically, it described protesting injustice (e.g., reclaiming stolen property) and later expanded to land rehabilitation (18th century) by "calling back" fertility to unused soil.
The activist worked to reclaim polluted wetlands for wildlife.
She reclaimed her stolen necklace after filing a police report.
The government launched a project to reclaim desert areas for farming.
He reclaimed his position as team leader after a year abroad.
The artist reused scrap metal to reclaim materials for her sculpture.