re

[ L. re-, older form (retained before vowels) red-: cf. F. re-, ré-. ] A prefix signifying back, against, again, anew; as, recline, to lean back; recall, to call back; recede; remove; reclaim, to call out against; repugn, to fight against; recognition, a knowing again; rejoin, to join again; reiterate; reassure. Combinations containing the prefix re- are readily formed, and are for the most part of obvious signification. [ 1913 Webster ]

With the increase of electronic connunications, in which the vowels with a diaeresis (e.g. ë) are seldom used in contrast with printed materials, some words with re followed by a vowel are now spelled with a hyphen to indicate that the two vowels are to be pronounced as two syllables rather than as one syllable, as in re-emerge rather than reëmerge. The unbroken forms (e.g. reemerge) are, however, usually more commonly used, and the pronunciation with two syllables for the two vowels is taken as understood. [ PJC ]

v. t. To absorb again; to draw in, or imbibe, again what has been effused, extravasated, or thrown off; to swallow up again; as, to reabsorb chyle, lymph, etc.; -- used esp. of fluids. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act or process of reabsorbing. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A second access or approach; a return. Hakewill. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To accuse again. Cheyne. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To retch. Cheyne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An effort to vomit. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of stretching or extending; extension; power of reaching or touching with the person, or a limb, or something held or thrown; as, the fruit is beyond my reach; to be within reach of cannon shot. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The power of stretching out or extending action, influence, or the like; power of attainment or management; extent of force or capacity. [ 1913 Webster ]

Drawn by others who had deeper reaches than themselves to matters which they least intended. Hayward. [ 1913 Webster ]

Be sure yourself and your own reach to know. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Extent; stretch; expanse; hence, application; influence; result; scope. [ 1913 Webster ]

And on the left hand, hell,
With long reach, interposed. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am to pray you not to strain my speech
To grosser issues, nor to larger reach
Than to suspicion. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An extended portion of land or water; a stretch; a straight portion of a stream or river, as from one turn to another; a level stretch, as between locks in a canal; an arm of the sea extending up into the land. “The river's wooded reach.” Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

The coast . . . is very full of creeks and reaches. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. An artifice to obtain an advantage. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Duke of Parma had particular reaches and ends of his own underhand to cross the design. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. The pole or rod which connects the hind axle with the forward bolster of a wagon. [ 1913 Webster ]