1590s "to banish (someone), send to an obscure or remote place, send away or out of the way," from Latin relegatus, past participle of relegare "remove, dismiss, banish, send away, schedule, put aside," from re- "back" (see re-) + legare "send as a deputy, send with a commission, charge, bequeath," which is possibly literally "engage by contract" and related to lex (genitive legis) "contract, law" (from PIE root *leg- (1) "to collect, gather"). ETD relegate (v.).2
All senses are from a specific meaning in Roman law: "send into exile, cause to move a certain distance from Rome for a certain period." The meaning "place (someone) in a position of inferiority" is recorded from 1790. Of subjects, things, etc., "assign to some specific category, domain, etc.," by 1866. Related: Relegated; relegating; relegable. ETD relegate (v.).3
"act of relegating, banishment," 1580s, from Latin relegationem (nominative relegatio) "a sending away, exiling, banishing," a specific term in ancient Roman law and later ecclesiastical law, noun of action from past-participle stem of relegare "remove, dismiss, banish, send away, schedule, put aside" (see relegate). ETD relegation (n.).2
late 14c., relenten, Anglo-French relenter, "to melt, soften in substance, dissolve," ultimately from re- in some sense + Latin lentus "slow, viscous, supple" (see lithe), perhaps on model of Old French rallentir, "but the immediate source is not clear" [OED]. Figurative sense of "become less harsh or cruel, soften in temper" is recorded from 1520s; the notion probably is of a hard heart melting with pity. Related: Relented; relenting. ETD relent (v.).2
"incapable of relenting, unmoved by pity, unpitying, insensible to the distress of others," 1590s, from relent + -less. Related: Relentlessly; relentlessness. Relenting is from 1590s as a present-participle adjective, "inclined to relent; too easily moved." For a noun for the group, relentment "act or state of relenting" (1620s) has been tried. ETD relentless (adj.).2
1825 as a dish; 1930 in ballet, "a lifted step, a raising of the body on point or points," literally "raised up," from French relevé, 19th century verbal noun from past participle of relever "to raise" (see relieve). Middle English had relevement "relief, succor" (mid-15c., from Old French) and relevacioun "alleviation, relief; a raising up" (c. 1400, from Latin). ETD releve (n.).2
"pertinence, applicableness; recognizable connection," 1733; see relevant + -ance. Related: Relevancy (1560s). ETD relevance (n.).2
"to the purpose, applicable, pertinent to the matter at hand," 1550s, from French relevant "depending upon," originally "helpful," from Medieval Latin relevantem (nominative relevans), from stem of Latin relevare "to lessen, lighten," hence "to help, assist; comfort, console" (see relieve). Not generally used until after 1800. ETD relevant (adj.).2
mid-14c., relien, "to gather, assemble" an army, followers, a host, etc. (transitive and intransitive), from Old French relier "assemble, put together; fasten, fasten again, attach, rally, oblige," from Latin religare "fasten, bind fast," from re-, here perhaps an intensive prefix (see re-), + ligare "to bind" (from PIE root *leig- "to tie, bind"). ETD rely (v.).2
The older sense now are obsolete. The meaning "depend on with full trust and confidence, attach one's faith to" a person or thing is from 1570s, perhaps via the notion of "rally to, fall back on." Typically used with on, perhaps by influence of unrelated lie (v.2) "rest horizontally." Related: Relied; relying. ETD rely (v.).3
1560s, raliabill, "that may be relied on, fit to be depended on, trustworthy," originally Scottish; see rely + -able. Not common before 1850, and often execrated thereafter in Britain as an Americanism because it involves a use of -able different from its use in provable, etc., and not warranted in classical Latin. But it is defended (by OED, Century Dictionary, etc.) on grounds of the suffix's sense in available, laughable, livable, dependable; indispensable, etc. Related: Reliably; reliableness. As a noun, "a reliable person, beast, or thing," by 1890 (with old). ETD reliable (adj.).2
"state or quality of being reliable," 1816, Coleridge, from reliable + -ity. In statistics, by 1910. ETD reliability (n.).2
"act of relying; condition or character of being reliant," c. 1600; see rely (v.) + -ance. ETD reliance (n.).2
1856, "having or indicating reliance or confidence;" see rely (v.) + -ant. Perhaps based on reliance. Because its meaning shades into "dependent (on)," a sense attested by 1878, it would seem an odd name for an automobile, but Chrysler (Plymouth) nonetheless chose it as one in 1981. ETD reliant (adj.).2
c. 1200, relik, "a body part or other object held in reverence or affection due to its connection with a holy person," from Old French relique, relike (11c., plural reliques), from Late Latin reliquiæ (plural) "the remains of a martyr," in classical Latin "remains, remnants," noun use of the fem. plural of reliquus "remaining, that which remains." ETD relic (n.).2
This is related to relinquere (perfective reliqui) "to leave behind, forsake, abandon, give up," from re- "back" (see re-) + linquere "to leave" (from PIE *linkw-, nasalized form of root *leikw- "to leave"). Old English used reliquias, directly from Latin. ETD relic (n.).3
The general sense of "remains, remnants, that which is left after the loss or ruin of the rest" is attested from early 14c. The meaning "something kept as a souvenir, a memento" is from c. 1600. By 1590s the word had developed its weakened sense of "anything made interesting by its association with the distant past." By 1580s as "surviving trace of some practice, idea, etc.;" hence relic of barbarism (by 1809) "survival of a (bad) old custom or condition." ETD relic (n.).4
"a widow," mid-15c., relicte, etymologically "one who is left, one who remains," from Old French relict, fem. relicte, "person or thing left behind" (especially a widow) and directly from Medieval Latin relicta "a widow," noun use of fem. of relictus "abandoned, left behind," past-participle adjective from Latin relinquere "leave behind, forsake, abandon, give up," from re- "back" (see re-) + linquere "to leave" (from PIE *linkw-, nasalized form of root *leikw- "to leave"). ETD relict (n.).2
In later only a semi-legal or formal term (perhaps from confusion with relic), "more often seen than heard" [Fowler]. Also as an adjective in Middle English and early modern English, originally "left undisturbed or untouched, allowed to remain" (mid-15c.) but used in various senses. ETD relict (n.).3
in law, "a recession of the sea or other body of water from the land," also the land thus discovered, 1670s, from Latin relictionem (nominative relictio), noun of action from past participle stem of relinquere "leave behind, forsake, abandon, give up," from re- "back" (see re-) + linquere "to leave" (from PIE *linkw-, nasalized form of root *leikw- "to leave"). ETD reliction (n.).2
late 14c., "alleviation of distress, hunger, sickness, etc; state of being relieved; that which mitigates or removes" (pain, grief, evil, etc.)," from Anglo-French relif, from Old French relief "assistance," literally "a raising, that which is lifted;" from stressed stem of relever (see relieve). ETD relief (n.1).2
The meaning "aid to impoverished persons" is attested from c. 1400, from 19c. especially of assistance by governments; that of "deliverance of a besieged town" is from c. 1400. The word was used earlier in English as "that which is left over or left behind," also "feudal payment to an overlord made by an heir upon taking possession of an estate" (both c. 1200). ETD relief (n.1).3
in sculpture, architecture, etc., "projection of figure or design from the flat surface on which it is formed," c. 1600, from French relief, from Italian rilievo, from rilevare "to raise," from Latin relevare "to raise, lighten" (see relieve). In physical geography, "the form of the surface of any part of the earth" (by 1842), especially in relief map. ETD relief (n.2).2
late 14c., releven, "alleviate (pain, etc.) wholly or partly, mitigate; afford comfort; allow respite; diminish the pressure of," also "give alms to, provide for;" also figuratively, "take heart, cheer up;" from Old French relever "to raise, relieve" (11c.) and directly from Latin relevare "to raise, alleviate, lift up, free from a burden," from re-, here perhaps an intensive prefix (see re-), + levare "to lift up, lighten," from levis "not heavy" (from PIE root *legwh- "not heavy, having little weight"). ETD relieve (v.).2
The notion is "to raise (someone) out of trouble." From c. 1400 as "advance to the rescue in battle, bring help to a besieged place;" also "return from battle; recall (troops)." Meaning "release from duty" is from early 15c. Related: relieved; relieving. ETD relieve (v.).3
"one who or that which relieves," late 15c., agent noun from relieve. Baseball sense ("relief pitcher," who replaces the starting pitcher when tired or in difficulty) is attested by 1945. ETD reliever (n.).2
"bind together," 1590s from Latin religatus, past participle of religare "fasten, bind fast" (see rely). Also sometimes an obsolete spelling of relegate. Related: Religated; religating; religation. ETD religate (v.).2
c. 1200, "devout, pious, imbued with or expressive of religious devotion," used of Christians, Jews, pagans; also "belonging to a religious order," from Anglo-French religius, Old French religious (12c., Modern French religieux) and directly from Latin religiosus, "pious, devout, reverencing or fearing the gods," also "religiously careful, anxious, or scrupulous," from religio "religious observance; holiness" (see religion). ETD religious (adj.).2
The meaning "pertaining to religion" is from 1530s. The transferred sense of "scrupulous, exact, conscientious" is recorded from 1590s but restores or revives a sense right at home among the superstitious Romans. As a noun, from c. 1200 as "persons bound by vow to a religious order;" from late 14c. as "pious persons, the devout." Related: Religiousness. ETD religious (adj.).3
late 14c., religiousli, "piously, devoutly, in a religious manner," from religious + -ly (2). Transferred sense of "exactly, strictly, scrupulously" is attested by 1570s. ETD religiously (adv.).2
"a nun, a religious woman," 1690s, from French religieuse, fem. of religieux "monk, religious person" (itself used in English from 1650s but much less common), noun use of the adjective meaning "religious" (see religious). As a type of pastry, attested from 1929. ETD religieuse (n.).2
word-forming element used from late 19c. with a sense of "religious, pertaining to religion, of religion and," from Latin religio "a religion; holiness" (see religion). ETD religio-.2
c. 1200, religioun, "state of life bound by monastic vows," also "action or conduct indicating a belief in a divine power and reverence for and desire to please it," from Anglo-French religiun (11c.), Old French religion, relegion "piety, devotion; religious community," and directly from Latin religionem (nominative religio) "respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods; conscientiousness, sense of right, moral obligation; fear of the gods; divine service, religious observance; a religion, a faith, a mode of worship, cult; sanctity, holiness," in Late Latin "monastic life" (5c.). ETD religion (n.).2
This noun of action was derived by Cicero from relegere "go through again" (in reading or in thought), from re- "again" (see re-) + legere "read" (see lecture (n.)). However, popular etymology among the later ancients (Servius, Lactantius, Augustine) and the interpretation of many modern writers connects it with religare "to bind fast" (see rely), via the notion of "place an obligation on," or "bond between humans and gods." In that case, the re- would be intensive. Another possible origin is religiens "careful," opposite of negligens. ETD religion (n.).3
In English, the meaning "particular system of faith in the worship of a divine being or beings" is by c. 1300; the sense of "recognition of and allegiance in manner of life (perceived as justly due) to a higher, unseen power or powers" is from 1530s. ETD religion (n.).4
"one addicted to or zealous (often in a bad sense) for a religion," 1650s, from religion + -ist. ETD religionist (n.).2
"lacking or having lost religion," 1707, from religion + -less. ETD religionless (adj.).2
late 14c., religiosite, "religious feeling, reverence for God, piety," from Old French religiosete and directly from Late Latin religiositas "religiousness," from religiosus "pious, devout, reverencing or fearing the gods," also "religiously careful, anxious, or scrupulous" (see religious). In late 19c. especially "religious sentimentality, excessive susceptibility to religious emotion without corresponding regard for divine law." ETD religiosity (n.).2
also re-line, "line (a coat, painting, etc.) again or anew, provide with fresh lining," by 1839, from re- "back, again" + line (v.1). Related: Relined; relining. ETD reline (v.).2
mid-15c., relinquishen, "desert, abandon" (someone, a sense now obsolete); late 15c., "give up the pursuit or practice of, desist, cease from;" from Old French relinquiss-, present-participle stem of relinquir (12c.), from Latin relinquere "leave behind, forsake, abandon, give up," from re- "back" (see re-) + linquere "to leave" (from PIE *linkw-, nasalized form of root *leikw- "to leave"). ETD relinquish (v.).2
From 1550s as "give up the possession or occupancy of." Related: Relinquished; relinquishing; relinquishment. ETD relinquish (v.).3
obsolete or archaic Frenchified spelling of relic (q.v.). ETD relique (n.).2
"receptacle for keeping relics," often small enough to be carried on the person, 1650s, from French reliquaire (14c.), from relique (see relic). ETD reliquary (n.).2
"remains (as those of fossil organisms)," 1650s, Latin plural of reliquus "remainder, residue," noun use of an adjective meaning "that is left, remaining, left over," a derivative of relinquere (perfective reliqui) "to leave behind, forsake, abandon, give up," from re- "back" (see re-) + linquere "to leave" (from PIE *linkw-, nasalized form of root *leikw- "to leave"). As "literary remains," by 1933. ETD reliquiae (n.).2
1520s, "a sensation of taste, a flavor distinctive of anything," alteration of reles "scent, taste, aftertaste," (c. 1300), from Old French relais, reles, "something remaining, that which is left behind," from relaisser "to leave behind," from Latin relaxare "loosen, stretch out," from re- "back" (see re-) + laxare "loosen" (from PIE root *sleg- "be slack, be languid"). ETD relish (n.).2
Especially "a pleasing taste," hence "pleasing quality" in general. The meaning "enjoyment of the taste or flavor of something" is attested from 1640s. The sense of "condiment, that which is used to impart a flavor to plain food to increase the pleasure of eating it" is recorded by 1797, especially a piquant sauce or pickle: The modern stuff you put on hot dogs (or don't) is a sweet green pickle relish. ETD relish (n.).3
1560s (implied in relished), "give flavor to, give an agreeable taste to," from relish (n.). The sense of "to enjoy, like the taste or flavor of, take pleasure in" is from 1590s (compare sense reversals in other similar "taste" verbs: like, please, disgust, etc.). Related: Relishing. ETD relish (v.).2
also re-live, 1540s, "to come to life again, revive" (also "to restore to life again, recall to life," a sense now archaic), from re- "back, again" + live (v.). Meaning "to experience (an incident, a period of time) over again" is attested from 1711. Related: Relived; reliving. ETD relive (v.).2
also re-load, "to load again, as a ship, etc.," 1778, from re- "back, again" + load (v.). Of a firearm or gun, by 1789. Related: Reloaded; reloading. ETD reload (v.).2
1746, in Scottish law, "renewal of a lease," noun of action from relocate (v.). The meaning "act of relocating" is from 1837. ETD relocation (n.).2
also re-locate, 1822, transitive, "to move (something, originally a road) to another place," from re- "back, again" + locate (v.). Intransitive sense of "settle again" is by 1841. Related: Relocated; relocating. Late Latin relocare meant "bring a thing back to its former place," also "to let out again." ETD relocate (v.).2
1640s, "act of struggling against;" 1660s, "unwillingness, aversion;" from the obsolete verb reluct "to strive, struggle, or rebel against" (15c.), from Latin reluctari, reluctare "to struggle against, resist, make opposition," from re- "back, against, in opposition" (see re-) + luctari "to struggle, wrestle," from Proto-Italic *lukto-, from PIE *lug-to- "bent" (source also of Old Irish foloing "supports," inloing "connects;" Middle Welsh ellwng- "to set free;" Greek lygos "withy, pliant twig," lygizein "to bend, twist;" Gothic galukan "to shut," uslukan "to open;" Old English locc "twist of hair." ETD reluctance (n.).2
Related: Reluctancy (1620s.); Bacon (1605) has reluctation. ETD reluctance (n.).3
"unwilling, struggling against duty or a command," 1660s, from Latin reluctantem (nominative reluctans), present participle of reluctari "to struggle against, resist, make opposition," from re- "against" (see re-) + luctari "to struggle, wrestle" (see reluctance). Related: Reluctantly. The Latin word also is the source of Spanish reluchante, Italian riluttante. ETD reluctant (adj.).2
also R.E.M., rem, unit for measuring ionizing radiation, 1947, acronym of roentgen equivalent man. ETD REM (n.1).2
also R.E.M., rem, 1957, initialism (acronym) for rapid eye movement. ETD REM (n.2).2
also re-made, past-participle adjective from remake (v.). ETD remade (adj.).2
early 15c., remainen, "be left after the removal or loss of a part, number, or quality; survive," from Anglo-French remayn-, Old French remain- (as in il remaint "it remains"), stressed stem of remanoir "to stay, dwell, remain; be left; hold out," from Latin remanere "to remain, to stay behind; be left behind; endure, abide, last" (source also of Old Spanish remaner, Italian rimanere), from re- "back" (see re-) + manere "to stay, remain" (from PIE root *men- (3) "to remain"). ETD remain (v.).2
Also from early 15c. as "continue" in someone's charge or possession; continue in a certain place or condition." From early 15c. in mathematics. Related: Remained; remaining. ETD remain (v.).3
late 15c., "those left over or surviving," from Old French remain, back-formation (verbal noun) from remanoir, remaindre "to stay, dwell, remain, be left," or else formed in Middle English from remain (v.). ETD remain (n.).2
The more usual noun in English has been remainder (n.), also see remnant, except in remains "a survival, relic, remaining part of something" (c. 1500), especially "that which remains of a human body after life is gone, corpse," which sense is attested from c. 1700. As "literary work (especially if unpublished) left by an author" from 1650s. ETD remain (n.).3
A native word would be leavings. Old English had yþlafe "the leavings of the waves," a kenning for "shore," daroþa lāf "leavings of spears," a kenning for "survivors" (of a battle). ETD remain (n.).4
late 14c., remaindre, in law, a right of ownership designed to devolve upon a second party, from Anglo-French remeinder, Old French remaindre, noun use of infinitive, a variant of Old French remanoir "to stay, dwell, remain; be left; hold out," from Latin remanere "to remain, to stay behind; be left behind; endure, abide, last" (source also of Old Spanish remaner, Italian rimanere). ETD remainder (n.).2
This is from re- "back" (see re-) + manere "to stay, remain" (from PIE root *men- (3) "to remain"). For noun use of infinitives in Anglo-French legalese, see waiver (n.). For the unetymological -d-, see D. ETD remainder (n.).3
The general meaning "that which remains, anything left over after separation, removal, etc." is by 1550s. In mathematics from 1570s. Specifically in publication, "what remains of an edition the sale of which has practically ceased and is sold at a reduced price" (1757). ETD remainder (n.).4
early 15c., in law, of rights of ownership, "to devolve upon a second party," from remainder (n.). The meaning "dispose of (the remaining unsold editions of a book) at a reduced price" is by 1902, from the noun in the publication sense. Related: Remaindered. ETD remainder (v.).2
also re-make, "make anew, reconstruct," 1630s, from re- "back, again" + make (v.). Related: Remade; remaking. As a noun, in reference to movies, "a new making of a film or script (typically with different actors)," by 1933 ("Smilin' Through"). The verb was used of movies by 1910s). ETD remake (v.).2
early 15c. (Chauliac), "remaining traces of a disease," from Old French remanence, remenence, related to remanoir "to stay, dwell, remain" (see remain (v.)). By 1660s in the general sense of "that which remains." The meaning "continuance, permanence" is by 1810 (Coleridge). ETD remanence (n.).2
early 15c., "remaining, left over; left behind, remaining, continuing, staying," senses now obsolete, from Old French remanant, remenant, present-participle of remanoir "to stay; be left," and directly from Latin remanentem (nominative remanens), present participle of remanere "stay behind; be left behind" (see remain (v.), and compare remnant, which is a syncopated version of this word). In physics by 1866, probably from Latin. ETD remanent (adj.).2
mid-15c., remaunden, "to send (something) back," from Anglo-French remaunder, Old French remander "send for again" (12c.) or directly from Late Latin remandare "to send back word, repeat a command," from Latin re- "back" (see re-) + mandare "to consign, order, commit to one's charge" (see mandate (n.)). ETD remand (v.).2
The meaning "command or order to go back to a place" is by 1580s. Specifically in law, "send back (a prisoner) on refusing his application for discharge," by 1640s. Related: Remanded; remanding; remandment. ETD remand (v.).3
1630s, "to mark out, distinguish," a sense now obsolete, modeled on French remarquer "to mark, note, heed," formed in French from re-, here perhaps an intensive prefix (see re-), + marquer "to mark," which probably is from Frankish or another Germanic source such as Old High German marchon "to delimit" (see mark (n.1)). ETD remark (v.).2
Meaning "take notice of, mark out in the mind" is from 1670s; that of "make a comment, express, as a thought that has occurred to the speaker or writer" is attested from 1690s, from the notion of "make a verbal observation" or "call attention to specific points." Related: Remarked; remarking. ETD remark (v.).3
1650s, "fact of being worthy of comment," also "an act of observation" (a sense now obsolete), from remark (v.). The meaning "a verbal or written notice or comment" is from 1670s; the sense of "observation, notice" also is from 1670s. ETD remark (n.).2
"observable, worthy of notice," hence "extraordinary, exceptional, conspicuous," c. 1600, from remark (v.) + -able, or from or based on French remarquable (16c.), from remarquer. Related: Remarkably; remarkableness. From 17c.-19c. remarkables (n.) were "noteworthy things or circumstances." ETD remarkable (adj.).2
"to mark again, mark anew," 1610s, from re- "back, again" + mark (v.). With hyphenated spelling and full pronunciation of the prefix to distinguish it from remark. Related: Re-marked; re-marking. ETD re-mark (v.).2
also re-marry, "marry again or a second time," also transitive, "to unite again in marriage," 1520s, from re- "back, again" + marry (v.). Related: Remarried; remarrying. ETD remarry (v.).2
also re-marriage, "any marriage after the first," 1610s, from re- "again" + marriage (n.). ETD remarriage (n.).2
also re-master, by 1967 of a recording, from re- "back, again" + master (n.) "original of a recording." Related: Remastered. ETD remaster (v.).2
"a return match," by 1910, in boxing, from re- "back, again" + match (n.) "contest." ETD rematch (n.).2
also re-match "to match again," by 1835 (of oxen in the yoke), from re- "again" + match (v.). Related: Rematched; rematching. ETD rematch (v.).2
also re-materialize, "materialize again," 1871, from re- "again" + materialize. Related: Rematerialized; rematerializing; rematerialization. ETD rematerialize (v.).2
also re-measure, "to measure again or anew," 1580s, from re- "again" + measure (v.). Related: Remeasured; remeasuring; remeasurement. ETD remeasure (v.).2
c. 1200, remedie, "means of counteracting sin or evil of any kind; cure for a vice or temptation;" late 14c., "a cure for a disease or disorder, medicine or process which restores health;" from Anglo-French remedie, Old French remede "remedy, cure" (12c., Modern French remède) and directly from Latin remedium "a cure, remedy, medicine, antidote, that which restores health," from re-, here perhaps an intensive prefix (or perhaps literally, "again;" see re-), + mederi "to heal" (from PIE root *med- "take appropriate measures"). ETD remedy (n.).2
Figurative use is from c. 1300. The meaning "legal redress; means for obtaining justice, redress, or compensation through a court" is by mid-15c. ETD remedy (n.).3
"remedy, redress, repair or remove something unwanted, restore to a natural or proper state," by 1961, a back-formation from remediation. Shakespeare seems to use it as an adjective in "Lear" (1605). The older verb is simply remedy. Related: Remediated; remediating. ETD remediate (v.).2
c. 1400, "affording remedy or relief;" early 15c., of a disease, "able to be remedied, capable of being cured" (Chauliac), from Old French remédiable, from Latin remediabilis "that may be healed, curable," from stem of remediare "to heal, cure," from remedium "a cure, remedy" (see remedy (n.)). ETD remediable (adj.).2
1650s, "curing, relieving, affording a remedy," from Late Latin remedialis "healing, curing," from Latin remedium "a cure, remedy, medicine, antidote, that which restores health," from re-, here perhaps an intensive prefix (or perhaps literally, "again;" see re-), + mederi "to heal" (from PIE root *med- "take appropriate measures"). ETD remedial (adj.).2
Educational sense of "concerned with improving skills of students not as proficient as their peers or as required" is by 1879. In reference to physical exercise or training to overcome muscular or postural deficiencies, by 1925. Related: Remedially. ETD remedial (adj.).3
"action of remedying," now especially in teaching or physical therapy, 1818, noun of action from stem of Latin remediare, from remedium "a cure, remedy" (see remedy (n.)). In educational jargon by 1966; of pollution, by 1986. The latest uses might be fresh coinages from remediate (v.). ETD remediation (n.).2
c. 1400, remedien, "effect a cure, cure;" also "put right, rectify, remove something evil from; give legal redress," from Old French remedier or directly from Latin remediare, from remedium (see remedy (n.)). Related: Remedied; remedying; remediless. ETD remedy (v.).2
mid-14c., remembren, "keep or bear (something or someone) in mind, retain in the memory, preserve unforgotten," from Old French remembrer "remember, recall, bring to mind" (11c.), from Latin rememorari "recall to mind, remember," from re- "again" (see re-) + memorari "be mindful of," from memor "mindful" (from PIE root *(s)mer- (1) "to remember"). ETD remember (v.).2
The meaning "recall to mind, bring again to the memory" is from late 14c.; the sense of "to mention" is from 1550s. Also in Middle English "to remind" (someone), "bring back the memory of" (something to someone); "give an account, narrate," and in passive constructions such as hit remembreth me "I remember." An Anglo-Saxon verb for it was gemunan. ETD remember (v.).3
The insertion of -b- between -m- and a following consonant (especially where a vowel has dropped out) is regular: compare number (n.), chamber (n.), humble (adj.). ETD remember (v.).4
In complimentary messages, "remember (one) to (another), recall one to the remembrance of another," as in remember me to your family, is attested from 1550s. ETD remember (v.).5
c. 1300, remembraunce, "a memory, recollection," from Old French remembrance (11c.), from remembrer (see remember). From late 14c. as "consideration, reflection; present consciousness of a past event; store of personal experiences available to recollection, capacity to recall the past." Also late 14c. as "memento, keepsake, souvenir," and "a commemoration, remembering, ritual of commemoration." Meaning "faculty of memory, capability of remembering" is from early 15c. ETD remembrance (n.).2
British Remembrance Day, the Sunday nearest Nov. 11 (originally in memory of the dead of World War I) is attested from 1921. A remembrancer (early 15c.) was a royal official of the Exchequer tasked with recording and collecting debts due to the Crown; hence also, figuratively "Death" (late 15c.). ETD remembrance (n.).3
Also re-militarize, 1920, transitive, "to rearm a country or territory that had been demilitarized; equip again with military forces and defenses," originally of Soviet Russia, from re- "back, again" + militarize (v.) or perhaps based on earlier demilitarize (v.). Related: remilitarized; remilitarizing; remilitarization. ETD remilitarize (v.).2
1640s, "to remember, recall (something) to one's mind" (a sense now obsolete); 1650s as "put (someone) in mind of (something), bring to the remembrance of;" from re- "again" + mind (v.). A Latin-Germanic hybrid. Related: Reminded; reminding. ETD remind (v.).2
"something which reminds, one who or that which reminds," 1650s, agent noun from remind. A 17c. writer has remindless "forgetful." ETD reminder (n.).2
brand of firearms (1865) and typewriter (produced from 1874), from the surname of Eliphalet Remington (1793-1861) and his son Philo (1816-1889), gunsmiths of Ilion, N.Y. ETD Remington (n.).2
1705, "pertaining to or characterized by reminiscence," from Latin reminiscentem (nominative reminiscens), present participle of reminisci "remember, call to mind," from re- "again" (see re-) + minisci "to remember" (from root of mens "mind," from PIE root *men- (1) "to think"). By 1880 as "calling to mind, evoking a reminiscence (of someone or something)." Related: Reminiscential "of the nature of reminiscence" (1640s). ETD reminiscent (adj.).2
1580s, "act of recollecting," from Old French reminiscence (14c.) and directly from Late Latin reminiscentia "remembrance, recollection" (a loan-translation of Greek anamnesis), from Latin reminiscentem (nominative reminiscens), present participle of reminisci "remember, recall to mind," from re- "again" (see re-) + minisci "to remember," from root of mens "mind" (from PIE root *men- (1) "to think"). ETD reminiscence (n.).2
The meaning "a recollection of past incidents, events, conditions, etc. within one's personal knowledge" is attested from 1811; especially, in plural, "the collected memories and experiences (of someone) in literary form." The 17c. also had reminiscency "faculty of reminiscence." ETD reminiscence (n.).3
1829, "to recollect," a back-formation from reminiscence. Meaning "indulge in reminiscences" is from 1871. "[S]omewhat colloquial" [OED] and mistrusted by the literary (in the OED's earliest citation for it, reminisce is followed immediately by an aside, "the word shall never enter my vocabulary"). Related: Reminisced. Reminiscing as a verbal noun, "action of remembering," is by 1891. ETD reminisce (v.).2
"coach house, house or shelter for a carriage," 1690s, from French remise, noun use of past participle of remettre "to send back," from Latin remittere (see remit). Also from 1690s as "better sort of hired carriage" (voiture de remise). Also in fencing, "a second thrust while still on the lunge after the first has missed," 1823; hence its use in card games, etc. ETD remise (n.).2
in law, "give up, surrender, make over to another, grant back," late 15c., from noun remise, from Old French remise, past participle of remettre "to send back," from Latin remittere (see remit). Related: Remised; remising. ETD remise (v.).2
1610s, "inclined to pardon;" 1680s, "causing or characterized by abatement," from Latin remissivus, from past-participle stem of remittere "slacken, abate" (see remit). Related: Remissively. ETD remissive (adj.).2
early 15c., remis, remisse, "weak, dissolved, loose, slack, lacking in force or energy;" mid-15c., of conduct, "characterized by lack of strictness or due restraint;" also, of persons, "slack in the discharge of a task or duty, characterized by negligence," from Latin remissus "relaxed, languid; negligent," past participle of remittere "slacken, abate, let go" (see remit). Related: Remissly; remissness. ETD remiss (adj.).2
c. 1200, remissioun, "forgiveness or pardon (of sins)," from Old French remission "forgiveness (of sins), relief" (12c.) and directly from Latin remissionem (nominative remissio) "relaxation, diminishing," etymologically "a sending back, sending away," noun of action from past-participle stem of remittere "slacken, let go, abate" (see remit). ETD remission (n.).2
From late 14c. as "release from duty or obligation." Of diseases, fevers, "abatement, temporary subsidence," from early 15c. General sense of "diminution of force or effects" is from c. 1600. By 1736 as "abatement of penalty or punishment." ETD remission (n.).3
late 14c., remitten, "to forgive, pardon," from Latin remittere "send back, slacken, let go back, abate," from re- "back" (see re-) + mittere "to send" (see mission). Secondary senses predominate in English. ETD remit (v.).2
From c. 1400 as "refer for consideration or performance from one person or group to another;" early 15c. as "send to prison or back to prison." The meaning "allow to remain unpaid, refrain from exacting" (penalty, punishment, etc.) is from mid-15c. Meaning "send money (to someone) in payment" is recorded from 1630s. Related: Remitted; remitting. ETD remit (v.).3
1705, "act of transmitting (money, etc.) to another place; sum of money sent;" see remit (v.) + -ance. In the general noun sense of "a remitting," remitment (1610s of offenses; 1670s of money sent); remittal (1590s); remitting (late 15c., in law), and remit (early 15c.) have been used. ETD remittance (n.).2
mid-15c., a legal principle, "restoration of a prior or more valid title to certain property," from Old French remitter, noun use of infinitive, from Latin remittere "send back" (see remit). For legalese noun use of French infinitives, see waiver. ETD remitter (n.).2
"temporarily abating, having remissions from time to time," 1690s, originally of fevers, from Latin remittentem (nominative remittens), present participle of remittere "slacken, abate" (see remit (v.)). ETD remittent (adj.).2
"remaining part or quality, that which is left or remains," late 14c., contraction of remenant, remanent, remenaunt (c. 1300) "the remainder," from Old French remanant "rest, remainder, surplus," noun use of present participle of remanoir "to remain" (see remain (v.)). ETD remnant (n.).2
Specific sense of "end of a piece of ribbon, drapery, cloth, etc." (that which remains after the last cutting of a bolt or web) is recorded from mid-15c. As an adjective, "remaining, left," 1540s. An Old English word for "remnant" was endlaf. ETD remnant (n.).3
also re-model, "to mold, shape, or fashion anew," 1789, from re- "back, again" + model (v.) "fashion, construct." Related: Remodeled; remodeling. ETD remodel (v.).2
also re-mold, remould, "to mold or shape anew or again," 1700, from re- "back, again" + mold (v.). Related: Remolded; remolding. ETD remold (v.).2
also re-monetize, "make legal tender again," 1877, from re- "back, again" + monetize (v.). Related: Remonetized; remonetizing; remonetization. ETD remonetize (v.).2
late 15c., "an appeal, request," a sense now obsolete, from Old French remonstrance (15c., Modern French remontrance), from Medieval Latin remonstrantia, from present-participle stem of remonstrare "point out, show," from re-, here perhaps an intensive prefix (see re-), + Latin monstrare "to show" (see monster). ETD remonstrance (n.).2
The sense of "a strong formal representation of reasons or statement of facts against something complained of or opposed" is from 1620s. Also in history with specific political and ecclesiastical senses. Related: Remonstrant (n., adj.). ETD remonstrance (n.).3
1590s, "make plain, show clearly," a sense now obsolete, a back-formation from remonstration, or else from Medieval Latin remonstratus, past participle of remonstrare "to demonstrate" (see remonstrance). Meaning "to exhibit or present strong reasons against" an act, measure, etc. is from 1690s. Related: Remonstrated; remonstrating. ETD remonstrate (v.).2
"act of remonstrating, a remonstrance," late 15c. (Caxton), from Medieval Latin remonstrationem (nominative remonstratio), noun of action from past-participle stem of remonstrare (see remonstrance). ETD remonstration (n.).2
type of fish with a head formed to attach to objects or other fish," 1560s, from Latin remora "sucking fish," literally "delay, hindrance," from re- "back" (see re-) + mora "delay" (see moratorium); so called because the fish were believed by the ancients to have the power to retard a vessel to which they attached themselves. ETD remora (n.).2
Hence, in 17c.-18c., "an obstacle, an impediment" (the first sense of the word in Johnson's dictionary). The belief seems to predate the Romans: in Greek, such fishes were ekhenēis, literally "ship-holder," from ekhein "to hold" + naus (dative nei) "ship." Pliny writes that Antony's galley was delayed by one at Actium, and popular fables of the fish and its power to hold in place ships under sail circulated widely in the Middle Ages and after, from Ovid, etc. Sometimes called in English stayship or stopship. ETD remora (n.).3
"intense and painful self-condemnation and penitence due to consciousness of guilt; the pain of a guilty conscience," late 14c., from Old French remors (Modern French remords) and directly from Medieval Latin remorsum "a biting back or in return," noun use of neuter past participle of Latin remordere "to vex, torment disturb," literally "to bite back, bite again" (but seldom used in the literal sense), from re- "back, again" (see re-) + mordēre "to bite," which is perhaps from an extended form of PIE root *mer- "to rub away, harm." ETD remorse (n.).2
The sense evolution was via the Medieval Latin phrase remorsus conscientiæ (Chaucer's remors of conscience, also translated into Middle English as ayenbite of inwit). Middle English also had a verb, remord "to strike with remorse, touch with compassion, prick one's conscience" (late 14c.), from Latin remordere. Richard Brome's "Merry Beggars" (1641) delighted that they had ETD remorse (n.).3
"characterized by remorse, burdened with a painful sense of guilt and penitence due to consciousness of guilt," 1590s, from remorse + -ful. Related: Remorsefully; remorsefulness. ETD remorseful (adj.).2
"unpitying, cruel," 1590s, from remorse + -less. Related: Remorselessly; remorselessness. ETD remorseless (adj.).2
mid-15c., "distant in place, apart, removed, not near," from Latin remotus "afar off, remote, distant in place," past participle of removere "move back or away, take away, put out of view, subtract," from re- "back, away" (see re-) + movere "to move" (from PIE root *meue- "to push away"). Related: Remotely; remoteness. ETD remote (adj.).2
The meaning "distant" in any sense is from 1590s; by 1711 as "slight, inconsiderable" (of resemblances, chances, etc.). Remote control "fact of controlling from a distance" is recorded from 1904; as a device which allows this from 1920. ETD remote (adj.).3
type of French salad dressing, 1845, from French rémoulade (17c.), from remolat, a dialect word for "horseradish;" compare Italian ramolaccio "horseradish," by dissimilation from ramoraccio, from Latin armoracia. "horseradish," from Greek armorakia. ETD remoulade (n.).2
also re-mount, late 14c., remounten, "restore, revive, return to a former state," also "put on horseback again;" from Anglo-French remounter, Old French remonter "to climb up, ascend again," from re- (see re-) + monter (see mount (v.)). From late 15c. as "to go up again," 1620s as "to raise (something) up again." From 1620s of guns; 1680s of cavalry regiments. Related: Remounted; remounting. ETD remount (v.).2