repatriate

UK: ˌriːˈpæt.ri.eɪt | US: ˌriːˈpeɪ.tri.eɪt

Definition

  1. vt. to return someone to their own country

  2. vt. to send money or assets back to one's home country

  3. vi. to return to one's home country

Structure
re <back>patri <fatherland>ate <verb suffix>
Etymology

The word "repatriate" combines three morphemes:

  1. "re-" (Latin origin, meaning "back" or "again"), indicating a return action.
  2. "patri-" (from Latin "patria," meaning "fatherland" or "native country"), referring to one's homeland.
  3. "-ate" (a verb-forming suffix in Latin-derived words).
    The term originally emerged in legal and political contexts, describing the act of restoring someone or something (e.g., funds, prisoners) to their country of origin. Over time, it expanded to include financial repatriation (e.g., bringing overseas earnings back home).
Examples

  1. The government helped repatriate refugees after the war.

  2. Many companies repatriate profits to avoid foreign taxes.

  3. He decided to repatriate to his homeland after decades abroad.

  4. The museum repatriated the stolen artifacts to their country of origin.

  5. International laws ensure prisoners can be repatriated under certain conditions.