rectify
UK: ˈrɛktɪfaɪ | US: ˈrɛktəˌfaɪ
vt. to correct or make right
vt. to purify or refine (especially in chemistry)
vt. to adjust or align precisely
The word "rectify" traces back to Latin rectificare, combining rectus (straight/right) and -ficare (to make). It originally meant "to make straight" in a literal sense, later evolving metaphorically to mean "to correct" or "to purify." The term reflects the idea of aligning something with a standard or ideal, whether in moral, mathematical, or chemical contexts.
The engineer worked to rectify the error in the circuit design.
The company promised to rectify the billing mistake immediately.
Distilled water is produced by rectifying impurities from the liquid.
He sought to rectify his past mistakes by apologizing sincerely.
The surveyor used tools to rectify the alignment of the building's foundation.