verb (used with object)
- to get back or regain (something lost or taken away): to recover a stolen watch.
- to make up for or make good (loss, damage, etc., to oneself).
- to regain the strength, composure, balance, or the like, of (oneself).
- Law.
- to obtain by judgment in a court of law, or by legal proceedings: to recover damages for a wrong.
- to acquire title to through judicial process: to recover land.
- to reclaim from a bad state, practice, etc.
- to regain (a substance) in usable form, as from refuse material or from a waste product or by-product of manufacture; reclaim.
- Military. to return (a weapon) to a previously held position in the manual of arms.
- Football. to gain or regain possession of (a fumble): They recovered the ball on their own 20-yard line.
verb (used without object)
- to regain health after being sick, wounded, or the like (often followed by from): to recover from an illness.
- to regain a former and better state or condition: The city soon recovered from the effects of the earthquake.
- to regain one’s strength, composure, balance, etc.
- Law. to obtain a favorable judgment in a suit for something.
- Football. to gain or regain possession of a fumble: The Giants recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.
- to make a recovery in fencing or rowing.
verb
- (tr) to find again or obtain the return of (something lost)
- to regain (loss of money, position, time, etc); recoup
- (of a person) to regain (health, spirits, composure, etc), as after illness, a setback, or a shock, etc
- to regain (a former and usually better condition)industry recovered after the war
- law
- (tr)to gain (something) by the judgment of a court of lawto recover damages
- (intr)to succeed in a lawsuit
- (tr) to obtain (useful substances) from waste
- (intr) (in fencing, swimming, rowing, etc) to make a recovery
c.1300, “to regain consciousness,” from Anglo-French rekeverer (13c.), Old French recovrer “come back, return; regain health; procure, get again” (11c.), from Medieval Latin recuperare “to recover” (source of Spanish recobrar, Italian ricoverare; see recuperation). Meaning “to regain health or strength” is from early 14c.; sense of “to get (anything) back” is first attested mid-14c. Related: Recovered; recovering.