First Known Use: circa 1581
Dictionary
rehabilitate
verb re·ha·bil·i·tate \ˌrē-ə-ˈbi-lə-ˌtāt, ˌrē-hə-\
: to bring (someone or something) back to a normal, healthy condition after an illness, injury, drug problem, etc.
: to teach (a criminal in prison) to live a normal and productive life
: to bring (someone or something) back to a good condition
re·ha·bil·i·tat·edre·ha·bil·i·tat·ing
Full Definition of REHABILITATE
transitive verb
1
a : to restore to a former capacity : reinstate b : to restore to good repute : reestablish the good name of
2
a : to restore to a former state (as of efficiency, good management, or solvency) <rehabilitate slum areas> b : to restore or bring to a condition of health or useful and constructive activity
— re·ha·bil·i·ta·tion \-ˌbi-lə-ˈtā-shən\ noun
— re·ha·bil·i·ta·tive \-ˈbi-lə-ˌtā-tiv\ adjective
— re·ha·bil·i·ta·tor \-ˌtā-tər\ noun
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Origin of REHABILITATE
Medieval Latin rehabilitatus, past participle of rehabilitare, from Latin re- + Late Latin habilitare to habilitate
Related to REHABILITATE
- Synonyms
- habilitate, reclaim, redeem, regenerate, reform
Rhymes with REHABILITATE
circumambulate, circumnavigate, contraindicate, decontaminate, deteriorate, differentiate, disambiguate, disassociate, discombobulate, disorientate, disproportionate, excommunicate, expiration date, free-associate, hyperventilate, incapacitate, intermediate, interpenetrate, misappropriate, multivariate, overcompensate, overpopulate, ratiocinate, recapitulate, renegotiate, superannuate, supersaturate, transubstantiate, underestimate
Medical Dictionary
rehabilitate
transitive verb re·ha·bil·i·tate \ˌrē-(h)ə-ˈbil-ə-ˌtāt\
re·ha·bil·i·tat·edre·ha·bil·i·tat·ing
Medical Definition of REHABILITATE
: to restore or bring to a condition of health or useful and constructive activity <rehabilitate patients with hip fractures>
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