First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
recover
verb re·cov·er \ri-ˈkə-vər\
: to become healthy after an illness or injury : to return to normal health
: to return to a normal state after a period of difficulty
: to get (something, such as an ability or feeling) again
re·cov·eredre·cov·er·ing \-ˈkə-və-riŋ, -ˈkəv-riŋ\
Full Definition of RECOVER
transitive verb
1
: to get back : regain
2
a : to bring back to normal position or condition <stumbled, then recovered himself> b archaic : rescue
3
a : to make up for <recover increased costs through higher prices> b : to gain by legal process
4
archaic : reach
5
: to find or identify again <recover a comet>
6
a : to obtain from an ore, a waste product, or a by-product b : to save from loss and restore to usefulness : reclaim
intransitive verb
1
: to regain a normal position or condition (as of health) <recovering from a cold>
2
: to obtain a final legal judgment in one's favor
— re·cov·er·abil·i·ty \-ˌkə-və-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -ˌkəv-rə-\ noun
— re·cov·er·able \-ˈkə-və-rə-bəl, -ˈkəv-rə-\ adjective
— re·cov·er·er \-ˈkə-vər-ər\ noun
See recover defined for English-language learners
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Origin of RECOVER
Middle English, from Anglo-French recoverer, from Latin recuperare, from re- + *caperare, from Latin capere to take — more at heave
Related to RECOVER
Rhymes with RECOVER
RECOVERED Defined for Kids
recover
verb re·cov·er \ri-ˈkə-vər\
re·cov·eredre·cov·er·ing
Definition of RECOVER for Kids
1
: to get back : regain <I recovered my lost wallet.> <Mary began to recover her breath and feel safer … — Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden>
2
: to regain or return to a normal or usual state (as of health or composure <Have you recovered from the flu?>
3
: to make up for <We can't recover lost time.>
Medical Dictionary
recover
intransitive verb re·cov·er \ri-ˈkəv-ər\
re·cov·eredre·cov·er·ing \-(ə-)riŋ\
Medical Definition of RECOVER
: to regain a normal position or condition (as of health) <recovering from the effects of a cold>
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