re-enact
UK[ˌriː.ɪˈnækt]US[ˌri.əˈnækt]
v
To perform the actions of a past event again, especially as an official ceremony or for educational purposes.
v
To make a law or legal provision effective again.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
enact
re
again
enact
make law, perform
Etymology
The word "re-enact" is a modern English compound formed by attaching the Latin-derived prefix "re-" to the verb "enact." "Enact" itself has a layered history, entering English from Anglo-Norman and Old French, tracing back to the Latin inactare, meaning "to act in" or "to put into action," from actus (a doing, a driving). The prefix "re-", from Latin, consistently conveys repetition. Therefore, the literal morphemic logic is "to act (or make law) again." This transparent construction directly leads to its modern meanings: either to perform a past event again, such as a historical battle, or to formally revive a piece of legislation.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + enact (make law, perform)
re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
enact: From Middle English, ultimately from Latin in- (in) + actus (act, deed). In this compound, it functions as the core verb meaning "to make into law" or "to perform".
Examples
The historical society will re-enact the famous battle on its anniversary.
The committee voted to re-enact the environmental protection law.
Actors re-enact the crime to help the jury understand the sequence of events.