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Reanimate: meaning, definitions and examples

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reanimate

[ˌriːˈanɪˌmeɪt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

bring back to life

To reanimate means to bring back to life or to restore life to something that was previously dead or lifeless. This term is often used in the context of science fiction or fantasy stories where characters are brought back from the dead through magical or scientific means. Reanimation can also refer to the revitalization of something that has become inactive or stagnant.

Synonyms

restore, resurrect, revive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
reanimate

Use this word in a medical or technical context where something is being brought back to life or consciousness. It's often used when talking about emergency medical situations.

  • The doctors worked tirelessly to reanimate the patient after his heart stopped.
resurrect

This word often carries a strong sense of bringing something back from the dead. It can be used literally in religious contexts or figuratively for ideas, practices, or trends.

  • The old myths about the hero's deeds were resurrected in popular culture.
  • In the story, a powerful spell was cast to resurrect the fallen king.
revive

This word is used in a general context where something is being brought back to a more active or lively state. It can be applied to both people and non-living things like traditions or interest.

  • They tried to revive the old festival to bring the community together.
  • After fainting, she was quickly revived with some cold water.
restore

Use this word when you want to bring something back to its original state or appearance. It's commonly used with buildings, paintings, and other objects.

  • The team worked to restore the ancient painting to its former glory.
  • They restored the old mansion, preserving its historical charm.

Examples of usage

  • The mad scientist attempted to reanimate the dead bodies in his laboratory.
  • After being frozen for centuries, the ancient warrior was reanimated by a powerful spell.
  • The team of doctors worked tirelessly to reanimate the patient after a sudden cardiac arrest.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • Originates from the Latin word 'reanimare', which means 'to give life again'.
  • The prefix 're-' means 'again', while 'animare' relates to 'spirit' or 'soul'.
  • It has been used in English since the late 16th century to describe restoring life.

Science

  • In medicine, methods like CPR aim to reanimate someone who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped.
  • Certain organisms, like tardigrades, can survive extreme conditions by effectively 'reanimating' from a dormant state.
  • Research in cryonics explores the possibilities of reanimating individuals preserved at low temperatures for future revival.

Pop Culture

  • Reanimation is a common theme in movies and TV shows, such as zombie films where characters come back to life.
  • Video games like 'Resident Evil' often feature reanimating corpses as a central gameplay mechanic.
  • In animation, characters can be reanimated using special techniques to create lifelike movements.

Literature

  • Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' is a classic tale about reanimating dead tissue to create life.
  • The concept of reanimation often questions the ethics of life and death in literature, prompting deep philosophical reflections.
  • Many horror stories use the idea of reanimation to explore themes of identity, memory, and the consequences of playing god.

Psychology

  • The desire to reanimate memories can be seen in practices like reminiscence therapy for individuals with dementia.
  • Reanimating feelings is a term used in psychotherapy when clients work to revive past experiences or emotions for healing.
  • The concept also applies to 'reanimating' skills or hobbies that one might have paused or neglected over time.

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