reconstitute
UK[ˌriːˈkɒnstɪtjuːt]US[ˌriːˈkɑːnstɪtuːt]
v
to form an organization or a group again in a different way
v
to change dried food back to its original form by adding water
Morpheme Breakdown
re
con
stitute
re
again
con
together
stitute
to set up
Etymology
the word "reconstitute" is a modern english formation built upon classical latin elements. the prefix "re-" carries its core sense of "again," while "con-" intensifies the meaning of the following root, "together." the core root "stitute" derives from the latin verb 'statuere,' meaning to set up or establish, which itself originates from the proto-indo-european root sta- (to stand). the literal, morphemic meaning is thus "to set up again together." this logical progression from the physical act of standing something up again evolved into the modern abstract meanings of rebuilding an organization or restoring a substance to its original state by adding a missing component, such as water.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + con (together) + stitute (to set up)
- re: from latin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
- con: from latin (a form of 'com-'), a prefix meaning "together" or "with".
- stitute: from latin 'statuere' (to set up, to establish), a root meaning "to cause to stand, to place".
Examples
the committee was reconstituted with several new members.
you can reconstitute the dried soup by adding boiling water.
after the merger, the board of directors was completely reconstituted.