rehabilitate
UK[ˌriː(h)əˈbɪlɪteɪt]US[ˌriː(h)əˈbɪlɪteɪt]
v
to help someone to return to a normal, healthy life after they have been in prison or hospital for a long time
v
to restore someone to a former position, reputation, or condition
v
to restore a building, area, or piece of land to a good condition
Morpheme Breakdown
re
habilit
ate
re
again
habilit
make fit
ate
verb suffix
Etymology
the word "rehabilitate" entered english in the 16th century from medieval latin 'rehabilitatus', the past participle of 'rehabilitare', meaning "to restore to a former capacity". this latin verb is a compound of the prefix 're-' ("again") and 'habilitare' ("to make able"), which itself derives from 'habilis' ("able, easily managed"). the core notion of 'habilis' is connected to handling or suitability, traceable to the proto-indo-european root ghabh- meaning "to give or receive". thus, the literal morphemic logic is "to make fit again". over time, this concrete sense of restoring ability evolved into the modern abstract meanings encompassing the restoration of health, reputation, rights, or physical structures to a sound and functional state.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + habilit (make fit) + ate (verb suffix)
re: latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
habilit: derived from latin 'habilitas' meaning "aptitude, ability", from 'habilis' meaning "easily handled, apt". its functional role is the core root meaning "to make fit or able".
ate: latin origin via french, a verb-forming suffix.
Examples
the program aims to rehabilitate former offenders and help them find employment.
after his stroke, he spent six months in a clinic to rehabilitate his motor skills.
the city council has plans to rehabilitate the historic downtown district.