rebirth
UK[ˌriːˈbɜːθ]US[ˌriːˈbɜːrθ]
n
a new or second birth
n
a period of new life, growth, or activity; a revival
Morpheme Breakdown
re
birth
re
again
birth
birth
Etymology
The word 'rebirth' is a transparent English compound formed from the native Germanic noun 'birth' and the assimilated Latin prefix 're-'. 'Birth' itself derives from Old Norse 'byrðr' and Old English 'gebyrd', related to the verb 'to bear', with ultimate Proto-Indo-European roots in bher- meaning 'to carry'. The prefix 're-', from Latin, signifies repetition or return. Thus, the literal construction 'birth again' directly and logically conveys the abstract concepts of spiritual renewal, renaissance, or the resurgence of an idea or phenomenon after a period of decline.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + birth (birth)
re- (prefix of Latin origin, meaning 'again' or 'back'), birth (noun of Old English/Norse origin, meaning 'the act or fact of being born').
Examples
The festival symbolizes the rebirth of nature in spring.
The artist's later work marked a creative rebirth.
Many cultures have myths about the death and rebirth of gods.