Etymology Map
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Recover

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to return to health; to regain

Where does the word "recover" come from? It comes from Latin recuperare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
recuperare
Latin · ancient
"to get back"
the root of 'recuperate'
2
Stage 2 of 3
recovrer
Old French · medieval
"to regain"
the root of 'recuperate'
3
Stage 3 of 3
recover
English · 1300s
"to regain"
the sense 'regain health' dates from the 1300s
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Read the full story

Recover’s story begins in Latin: recuperare meant “to get back.” The root of 'recuperate'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as recovrer. The root of 'recuperate'. It reached English by 1300s as recover. The sense 'regain health' dates from the 1300s. Today, recover means to return to health; to regain.