resell
UK[ˌriːˈsɛl]US[ˌriːˈsɛl]
v
To sell something that one has previously bought.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
sell
re
again
sell
to exchange for money
Etymology
The word 'resell' is a straightforward compound formed within English by attaching the Latin-derived prefix 're-' to the native Germanic verb 'sell.' The prefix 're-,' from Latin, carries the core sense of "again," which has been productively borrowed into English to form verbs indicating repetition. The verb 'sell' originates from the Old English sellan, meaning "to give, furnish, supply, surrender," which evolved from the Proto-Germanic saljaną, "to offer up, deliver." The semantic logic is transparent: 'resell' literally means "to sell again," capturing the action of selling an item that has previously been acquired through purchase.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + sell (to exchange for money)
- re: A prefix of Latin origin, meaning "again" or "back." It functions as a derivational prefix indicating repetition.
- sell: A verb of Old English origin (from sellan), meaning "to give in exchange for money." It functions as the base verb.
Examples
He bought the concert tickets with the intention to resell them at a higher price.
Many electronics retailers also resell used or refurbished devices.
The company's policy prohibits customers from purchasing large quantities solely to resell.