renovate
UK[ˈrɛnəveɪt]US[ˈrɛnəveɪt]
v
To restore something old, especially a building, to a good state of repair.
v
To refresh or revitalize something.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
nov
ate
re
again
nov
new
ate
verb suffix
Etymology
The word renovate has a transparent and logical construction from its Latin components. It originates from the Latin verb renovare, which is a compound of the prefix re- (meaning "again") and the verb novare (meaning "to make new"), itself derived from novus (new). The literal meaning, "to make new again," perfectly captures the core action of the modern term. This journey from the concrete Latin sense of restoring physical objects to its current, broader application—encompassing the refreshing of systems, ideas, or energy—demonstrates a clear and enduring semantic link between the ancient roots and contemporary usage.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + nov (new) + ate (verb suffix)
- re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back."
- nov: Latin origin, from the root novus meaning "new."
- ate: Latin-derived suffix, used to form verbs meaning "to make" or "to act upon."
Examples
They plan to renovate the old library and turn it into a community center.
A good vacation can help renovate your spirit and improve your outlook.
The software interface was completely renovated to be more user-friendly.