resettle
UK[ˌriːˈsetl]US[ˌriːˈsetl]
v
To settle in a new or former place again.
v
To cause people to settle in a new or former place again.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
settle
re
again
settle
establish residence
Etymology
The word "resettle" is a compound formed from the Latin-derived prefix "re-" and the Old English verb "settle". The prefix "re-", meaning "again", was a productive element in Latin and was widely adopted into English to indicate repetition or return. The core verb "settle" originates from Old English setlan, related to "sit" and "set", carrying the fundamental sense of placing something firmly or causing it to become fixed and stable, especially in a place of residence. Therefore, the literal construction "to settle again" logically evolved into the modern meanings of either returning to a former place of residence or establishing oneself or others in a new one, often following displacement or migration.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + settle (establish residence)
- re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
- settle: Old English origin (setlan), meaning "to seat, place, put to rest, establish in a place".
Examples
After the war, many families wished to resettle in their hometowns.
The government program aims to resettle refugees in safe communities.
He decided to resettle abroad for a fresh start.