retarget
UK[ˌriːˈtɑːɡɪt]US[ˌriːˈtɑːrɡɪt]
v
To change the target of something, such as an advertising campaign or a missile.
v
To aim something again or differently.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
target
re
again
target
aim
Etymology
The word "retarget" is a modern English formation, a transparent compound of the Latin-derived prefix "re-" and the noun/verb "target." The prefix "re-" carries its classical sense of "again," signaling a repeated or altered action. The word "target" has a more colorful history, evolving from a term for a small shield used in practice for archery or combat into its modern abstract sense of an objective or point of aim. Therefore, "retarget" logically builds on this foundation, meaning literally "to aim again" or "to designate a new goal," a meaning directly reflected in its contemporary uses in marketing and technology.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + target (aim)
- re: A Latin prefix meaning "again" or "back," indicating repetition or restoration.
- target: From Old French targette, a diminutive of targe (a light shield), later coming to mean an object to be aimed at. Its functional role is the core noun/verb meaning "aim" or "goal."
Examples
The company decided to retarget its social media ads towards a younger demographic.
After the initial plan failed, the missile system was reprogrammed to retarget the moving vehicle.
We need to retarget our resources to address the most urgent issues first.