re-elect
Meaning
To elect someone again to a particular position, especially a political office.
Structure
Usage
The incumbent president is seeking to be re-elected for a second term.
Voters decided to re-elect their popular mayor by a large margin.
She was re-elected as chair of the committee after a unanimous vote.
Etymology
The verb "re-elect" is a modern English formation built upon the existing verb "elect". The prefix "re-", derived from Latin, carries its core meaning of "again", indicating repetition. The root "elect" originates from the Latin verb 'eligere', meaning "to pick out or choose", which itself is a compound of 'e-' (out) and 'legere' (to gather, pick). Therefore, the literal construction "choose again" perfectly and transparently conveys the modern political meaning of returning an incumbent to office through a renewed vote.
Analysis
re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back". elect: Latin origin, from 'electus', the past participle of 'eligere' meaning "to pick out, choose".