retrain
UK[ˌriːˈtreɪn]US[ˌriːˈtreɪn]
v
to teach someone new skills for a different job or task
v
to learn new skills for a different job or task
Morpheme Breakdown
re
train
re
again
train
to teach/instruct
Etymology
the word "retrain" is a modern english formation, combining the latin-derived prefix "re-" with the verb "train." the core verb "train" entered english from old french, where it originally carried the sense of "to drag, draw," stemming from the latin verb trahere. this evolved metaphorically into "to draw or direct someone's development," hence "to instruct." the prefix "re-," meaning "again," is a highly productive element in english word formation. therefore, "retrain" literally means "to train again," logically describing the process of teaching or learning new skills, often for a new purpose or after a period of change.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + train (to teach/instruct)
re: a prefix of Latin origin, meaning "again, back, anew." it functions as an intensifier or indicator of repetition.
train: a verb of old french origin (from trahiner, ultimately from latin trahere "to pull, draw"), meaning "to instruct, teach, or drill." it functions as the core lexical root.
Examples
the company offered to retrain workers whose jobs were automated.
after his injury, he had to retrain for a less physically demanding career.
she decided to retrain as a software developer.