recolonize
UK[ˌriːˈkɒlənaɪz]US[ˌriːˈkɑːlənaɪz]
v
to colonize (a region or territory) again.
v
(ecology) to re-establish a population of a species in an area it had previously inhabited.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
colon
ize
re
again
colon
settle
ize
verb suffix
Etymology
the word 'recolonize' is a modern english formation built upon the earlier verb 'colonize'. the core root 'colon-' derives from the latin 'colōnus', meaning a farmer or settler, which itself originates from 'colere', meaning "to cultivate, to inhabit". the prefix 're-', of latin origin, is attached to indicate the action is performed again. the suffix '-ize', entering english via latin and greek, standardly converts nouns into verbs. thus, the literal construction "to settle again" logically evolved into the modern meanings of re-establishing political control or, in ecological contexts, re-establishing a species population in a former habitat.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + colon (settle) + ize (verb suffix)
re: latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
colon: from latin 'colōnus' meaning "settler, farmer", via the verb 'colōnīzāre'. it functions as the core root meaning "to settle".
ize: greek origin via latin '-izāre', a verb-forming suffix meaning "to make, to become, to practice".
Examples
some historians argue that the nation attempted to recolonize the region after a brief period of independence.
the conservation project aims to recolonize the river with native freshwater mussels.
after the forest fire, ecologists are monitoring how quickly plants and insects recolonize the burned area.