rewire
UK[ˌriːˈwaɪə(r)]US[ˌriːˈwaɪər]
v
To put new electrical wires into a building, piece of equipment, or system.
v
To change the way something is organized or connected, especially in a person's brain or in a system.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
wire
re
again
wire
to connect with wire
Etymology
The word 'rewire' is a modern English compound formed from the productive prefix 're-' and the noun/verb 'wire'. The prefix 're-', derived from Latin, carries the core sense of repetition or restoration. The root 'wire' originates from Old English 'wīr', denoting metal thread, a term of Germanic origin. The specific combination 'rewire' emerged with the advent of electrical technology, logically describing the act of installing wiring again or anew. Its meaning has since extended metaphorically to describe the restructuring of neural pathways or organizational systems, maintaining the core concept of re-establishing connections.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + wire (to connect with wire)
- re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
- wire: Old English origin (wīr), a noun and verb referring to metal drawn out into a thread or a means of electrical connection.
Examples
We need to rewire the old house to make it safe.
After the stroke, his brain had to rewire some of its functions.
The company is attempting to rewire its entire approach to customer service.