Reacquire Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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reacquire

[ˌriːəˈkwaɪər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

business

To acquire (something) again, especially after having lost or been deprived of it.

Synonyms

recover, regain, retrieve.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
reacquire	Best used when talking about getting back possession of something that was previously owned or held. After years of negotiation, the company was able to reacquire its former subsidiary The pianist worked hard to reacquire her previous skill level
regain	Often used when referencing capabilities, emotions, or conditions being restored after having been lost. She struggled to regain her confidence after the failure It took him years to regain his former physical fitness
recover	Commonly used when talking about health, money, or a state of normalcy after a loss, accident, or setback. He took several months to recover from the surgery The company managed to recover half of the lost revenue
retrieve	Usually used when fetching or bringing back an object, often from a specific place. Can you retrieve that file from the cabinet? The dog was trained to retrieve the ball

Examples of usage

He reacquired the company after it went bankrupt.
She reacquired her childhood home years later.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

legal

To regain possession or control of something, typically through legal means.

Synonyms

reclaim, recoup, repossess.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
reacquire	Use this when you are obtaining something again after having lost or given it up for a period of time, often in formal or official contexts. After several years of negotiations, the country managed to reacquire its lost territories
repossess	This term is often used in legal or financial contexts and typically involves taking back property due to a failure to meet payment obligations. It can have a negative connotation. The bank had to repossess the car because he defaulted on his loan payments
reclaim	This term is used when you are taking back something that was taken away, surrendered, or lost, often with a sense of rightful ownership or entitlement. She went to the lost-and-found office to reclaim her missing suitcase
recoup	Commonly used in financial or business contexts, this word refers to recovering money or losses spent or invested. The company hopes to recoup its investments within the next five years

Examples of usage

The lawyer helped him reacquire his property through a lawsuit.
The artist reacquired the rights to his artwork.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Reacquiring lost skills or memories is a significant area of study in cognitive psychology, especially in understanding memory and learning.
The process of reacquiring can involve emotional aspects related to nostalgia or loss, often making it a complex experience.
Therapeutic techniques can help individuals reacquire coping mechanisms or social skills they may have lost.

Business

In the corporate world, reacquiring customers who have left can be crucial for business success, often involving targeted marketing strategies.
Reacquisition strategies can include loyalty programs or special promotions aimed at enticing previous customers to return.
The concept extends to product reacquisition whereby companies aim to regain market share by revamping former products.

Technology

In information technology, reacquiring access to previously used software or applications often requires password recovery or data restoration.
Data reacquisition is vital in data analysis, where lost data must be retrieved for accurate results.
The concept of reacquiring can also relate to digital rights management, where users seek to regain access to purchased digital media.

Pop Culture

In movies, a common plot revolves around characters reacquiring lost love or friendships, showcasing the emotional impact of such experiences.
Music often touches on themes of reacquisition, with artists expressing the struggle to get back feelings or relationships.
Books and literature frequently explore the idea of characters on a journey to reacquire their sense of self or purpose.

Origin of 'reacquire'

Main points about word origin

The word 'reacquire' is formed by adding the prefix 're-' meaning 'again' to 'acquire', which comes from Latin 'acquirere', meaning 'to get' or 'to gain'.
In English, the first recorded use of 'acquire' dates back to the 15th century, showing its long history in the language.
Combining 're-' and 'acquire' conveys both the action of gaining and the sense of returning to a previous state.

The word 'reacquire' is a combination of the prefix 're-' meaning 'again' and the verb 'acquire' meaning 'to get as one's own'. It first appeared in the mid-16th century with the meaning 'to get back'. Over time, the usage of 'reacquire' has become more common in business and legal contexts, referring to the act of obtaining something again, especially after it was lost or taken away.