reinstate
UK[ˌriːɪnˈsteɪt]US[ˌriːɪnˈsteɪt]
v
To put someone back into a previous job or position of authority.
v
To bring back a law, system, or practice that was previously stopped.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
in
state
re
again
in
in
state
to place
Etymology
The word 'reinstate' is a layered construction built upon the core concept of placement. Its foundation is the Latin verb stare, meaning "to stand," which evolved into the notion of establishing a condition or position. The prefix 'in-' intensifies this to mean "to place into" a specific state. Finally, the prefix 're-' is added, signaling a return to a previous condition. Thus, the literal morphemic logic of "to place back into" a former position perfectly captures the modern abstract meanings of restoring someone to office or re-establishing a former practice.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + in (in) + state (to place)
- re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
- in: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "in" or "into".
- state: From Latin stare (to stand), via Old French estat (position, condition). In this compound, it functions as a verb meaning "to place" or "to set".
Examples
The board voted to reinstate the former CEO after the investigation cleared her name.
The new government promised to reinstate the environmental protections that had been removed.
Following the appeal, his license was reinstated with full privileges.