rejoin
UK: ˌriːˈdʒɔɪn | US: ˌriːˈdʒɔɪn
vt. to join again; reunite
vt. to reply or respond, especially in a sharp or witty manner
The word "rejoin" combines the prefix "re-" (from Latin, meaning "again") with the root "join" (from Old French "joindre," meaning "to connect"). Originally used in the 15th century to mean "to reunite," it later developed a secondary legal and conversational sense of "to reply" (16th century), emphasizing a figurative "reconnection" in dialogue. The dual meanings reflect both physical and verbal reconnection.
After the meeting, the team decided to rejoin for dinner.
She quickly rejoined the debate with a clever counterargument.
The broken pieces were carefully rejoined by the artisan.
"That’s not true," he rejoined sharply.
The hikers paused to rest before rejoining the main trail.