reclaim
UK[rɪˈkleɪm]US[rɪˈkleɪm]
v
to get something back or to ask to have it back after it has been lost, taken away, etc.
v
to make land that is naturally too wet or too dry suitable to be built on, farmed, etc.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
claim
re
again
claim
demand
Etymology
the word "reclaim" entered english in the late middle english period via old french "reclamer", which itself derives from latin "reclamare". the latin verb is a compound of the prefix "re-", meaning "back" or "again", and "clamare", meaning "to cry out" or "to shout". literally, it meant "to cry out against" or "to call back". this sense of calling something back evolved into the modern meanings of demanding the return of something lost or restoring something to a better state. the semantic thread connects the idea of a vocal demand to the act of recovering or restoring what was once possessed or usable.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + claim (demand)
re- is a prefix of Latin origin meaning "again" or "back". claim is a root of Latin origin (from clamare) meaning "to shout, call out, or demand".
Examples
you may be entitled to reclaim some tax.
the project aims to reclaim the land from the sea.
she managed to reclaim her suitcase from the lost luggage office.