re-engineering
UK[ˌriːˌɛndʒɪˈnɪərɪŋ]US[ˌriːˌɛndʒɪˈnɪrɪŋ]
n
The process of radically redesigning a business process, organization, or system to achieve dramatic improvements in performance.
n
The action or process of designing and constructing something again or in a different way.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
engineering
re
again
engineering
the work of an engineer
Etymology
The word is a modern compound formed within English. The prefix 're-,' from Latin, carries its core meaning of repetition or restoration. It is attached to 'engineering,' a noun derived from 'engineer,' which traces back through Old French 'engigneor' to the Latin 'ingeniator,' one who devises or constructs. The Latin root is 'ingenium,' meaning natural capacity, cleverness, or invention. Therefore, 're-engineering' literally means "inventing or designing cleverly again." The term gained prominence in the late 20th century in business management, where its meaning evolved from a simple "redesign" to signify a fundamental, radical rethinking and restructuring of core processes to achieve breakthrough efficiency, thus extending the literal logic of "building again" into an abstract, strategic concept.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + engineering (the work of an engineer)
re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back."
engineering: From English 'engineer,' ultimately from Latin 'ingenium' (innate quality, clever invention). It functions as the core noun denoting the application of scientific principles to design and build.
Examples
The company underwent a major re-engineering of its supply chain to reduce costs.
Software re-engineering is often necessary to modernize legacy systems.
The re-engineering of the public health system focused on patient-centered care.