rethinking
UK[ˌriːˈθɪŋkɪŋ]US[ˌriːˈθɪŋkɪŋ]
n
The process of considering or assessing something again, especially in order to make changes to it.
gerund
The action of thinking about something again, especially in order to change your opinion or ideas about it.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
think
ing
re
again
think
cogitate
ing
action/process
Etymology
The word 'rethinking' is a modern English formation built upon the deep-rooted verb 'think'. The core 'think' originates from the Proto-Germanic thankjaną, related to concepts of thought and memory. The Latin-derived prefix 're-' was productively attached to verbs in Middle English to indicate repetition or backward motion. The suffix '-ing', from Old English, nominalizes the action. Therefore, 'rethinking' literally means "the action of thinking again," a transparent compound that directly reflects its contemporary meaning of reconsideration or reassessment.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + think (cogitate) + ing (action/process)
re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
think: Old English origin (thencan), the core verb meaning "to form or have in the mind".
ing: Old English origin (suffix -ung, -ing), forming nouns denoting an action or its result.
Examples
The recent data demands a complete rethinking of our strategy.
Her book encourages a rethinking of traditional gender roles.
The project is on hold pending a major rethinking of its core objectives.