remarriage
Meaning
A second or subsequent marriage, especially of a person whose previous marriage has ended.
Structure
Usage
The law regarding the remarriage of divorced persons has evolved significantly.
After several years alone, she considered remarriage to her childhood friend.
His remarriage was a joyful event celebrated by his children from his first marriage.
Etymology
The word 'remarriage' is a transparent compound formed within English. Its first element, the prefix 're-', is borrowed from Latin, where it signifies repetition or a return to a previous state. The second element, 'marriage', entered English from Old French 'mariage', which itself derives from Latin 'maritare' (to wed), related to 'maritus' (husband). The literal construction "to marry again" directly and logically conveys the modern legal and social concept of entering into matrimony after a prior marriage has been dissolved.
Analysis
re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back". marriage: Old French origin (mariage), from the verb 'marier' (to marry), functioning as the core noun.