recuperative
UK[rɪˈkuːpərətɪv]US[rɪˈkuːpəreɪtɪv]
adj
relating to or helping the process of recovering from illness or exhaustion
adj
having the ability to recover quickly; restorative
Morpheme Breakdown
re
cuper
ative
re
again
cuper
get
ative
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word recuperative is built upon the latin verb 'recuperare', meaning "to regain, get back, recover". this verb itself is composed of the intensive prefix 're-' (back, again) and 'capere' (to take, seize), though the latter's form evolved to 'cuper' in this compound. the suffix '-ative', of latin origin, transforms the verbal idea into an adjective describing a quality or tendency. thus, the literal sense of "tending to take back or regain" evolved into the modern abstract meaning of being restorative or aiding in recovery, particularly of health or strength.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + cuper (get) + ative (adjective suffix)
re- (latin prefix, meaning "again"); cuper (from latin verb 'recuperare', meaning "to get back, recover"); -ative (latin-derived adjective-forming suffix, meaning "of or relating to, tending to")
Examples
after the surgery, she spent a week in a recuperative facility.
a good night's sleep has remarkable recuperative powers.
the doctor emphasized the importance of a recuperative period following the intense treatment.