reprogrammed
UK[ˌriːˈprəʊɡræmd]US[ˌriːˈproʊɡræmd]
v
to program a computer or electronic device again, especially to give it new instructions or to change its function.
v
to cause a person or thing to change its behavior, attitudes, or responses in a fundamental way.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
program
ed
re
again
program
plan
ed
past tense suffix
Etymology
the word 'reprogrammed' is a modern english formation built upon the verb 'program', which entered english in the 19th century from the french 'programmer', itself derived from the late latin 'programma' (a public notice) and ultimately the greek 'programma' (a written public proclamation, from 'pro-' before + 'graphein' to write). the latin prefix 're-' (meaning again) was attached to indicate the action of programming anew. the '-ed' suffix, of germanic origin, marks it for past tense or participle. thus, the literal sense of "to write a plan again" evolved from announcing public decrees to specifically denoting the resetting of instructional code in computing and, metaphorically, the alteration of ingrained patterns.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + program (plan) + ed (past tense suffix)
- re: a prefix of latin origin meaning "again" or "back".
- program: from latin and greek, via french 'programme', meaning a written public notice or plan. in this word, it functions as the verb stem meaning to set a sequence of instructions.
- ed: a suffix of old english origin indicating the past tense or past participle form of a verb.
Examples
the technician reprogrammed the security system after the breach.
scientists are researching how to reprogram cells to fight disease.
after the retreat, she felt completely reprogrammed to handle stress more effectively.