recoup
UK[rɪˈkuːp]US[rɪˈkuːp]
v
To get back money that you have spent or lost
v
To regain or recover something, especially a loss
Morpheme Breakdown
re
coup
re
again
coup
to strike/cut
Etymology
The word "recoup" entered English in the early 15th century from Old French recouper, meaning "to cut back, cut off." Its core components are the Latin prefix re- ("back") and the root from couper ("to strike or cut"). The financial sense, which is now primary, developed from the literal idea of "cutting back" a loss or expense, thereby recovering it. This semantic shift illustrates how a concrete physical action ("to cut back") evolved into an abstract commercial and legal term for regaining what was spent or lost.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + coup (to strike/cut)
- re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
- coup: From French couper (to strike, to cut), ultimately from Latin colpus (a blow), from Greek kolaphos (a blow, slap).
Examples
He hoped to recoup his investment within the first year.
The company took legal action to recoup its losses.
It took her several months to recoup her strength after the illness.