rehearsal
UK[rɪˈhɜːsl]US[rɪˈhɜːrsl]
n
a practice performance of a play, concert, speech, etc., before the public performance.
n
the process of practicing something in order to prepare for a public performance or event.
n
a detailed recounting or repetition of a series of facts or events.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
hearse
al
re
again
hearse
to harrow, to rake
al
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'rehearsal' has a surprisingly agricultural origin. it derives from the old french verb 'rehercier', meaning "to go over again, repeat", which itself was formed from the prefix 're-' (again) and 'hercier' (to harrow, to rake over soil). this verb came from 'herce', referring to a harrow—a farming implement with spikes used to break up and level plowed earth. the metaphorical leap from repeatedly raking soil to repeatedly going over material in preparation is clear. entering english in the 14th century, it initially meant "a repeating or recounting" before specializing in the 16th century to its modern theatrical sense of a practice performance, capturing the idea of raking over the details again and again.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + hearse (to harrow, to rake) + al (noun suffix)
re: a prefix of latin origin meaning "again, back".
hearse: from middle english 'herse', old french 'herce', ultimately from latin 'hirpex' meaning "a large rake, harrow".
al: a noun-forming suffix of latin origin via french, indicating an action or process.
Examples
the cast was exhausted after a long rehearsal for the opening night.
her careful rehearsal of the presentation ensured it went smoothly.
his story sounded like a well-rehearsed excuse.