recuperate, v.
(rɪˈk(j)uːpəreɪt)
[f. L. recuperāt-, ppl. stem of recuperāre: see recover v. Cf. It. recuperare, Sp., Pg. recuperar, F. récupérer.]
1. a. trans. To recover (a thing, material or immaterial).
| 1542 Boorde Dyetary Pref., Your grace recuperatyng your helth. 1603 Dekker & Chettle Grissil (Shaks. Soc.) 42 My opinion is, I shall never recuperate the legitimate office of this member, my arm. 1661 Blount Glossogr. (ed. 2), Recuperate, to recover, rescue or get again. 1896 J. A. H. Murray Let. 22 Apr. in K. M. E. Murray Caught in Web of Words (1977) xiv. 279 We reached the summit however, & recuperated our energies. 1977 Guardian Weekly 7 Aug. 11/5 No plant in the world has shown that it can recuperate plutonium on an industrial scale from oxide-bearing fuel. |
b. To recover (a loss). rare.
| 1891 M. Cole Cy Ross 101 He had recuperated his losses. 1924 Proc. Classical Assoc. 13 Both these Associations have fully recuperated any loss which they had made during the war. |
2. † a. To restore (a thing) to its original condition.
| 1694 Salmon Bate's Dispens. (1713) 309/2 The white Substance of Gold,..which is wont to be called fixed Silver, recovers its pristine Colour, if recuperated with Antimony. |
b. To restore (a person) to health or vigour.
| 1864 T. Nichols 40 Yrs. Amer. Life II. 117 Why..are these sisters not..sent to recuperate themselves in healthier conditions? 1872 M. Collins Two Plunges III. v. 123 The sparkling wine soon recuperated Ianthe. |
3. refl. To recoup (oneself). rare.
| 1882 Lecky Eng. in 18th C. IV. xvi. 323 More commonly he paid a fixed sum to the clergyman, and recuperated himself by a grinding tyranny of the tenants. |
4. intr. To recover from exhaustion, ill-health, pecuniary loss, etc.
| 1864 Sala in Daily Tel. 9 Feb., Go into business; smash; recuperate. 1865 ― Diary Amer. I. 168 Renowned..for their urbane hospitality to pilgrims. There we recuperated. 1897 Century Mag. May 112 In the hope that he might soon recuperate and return to duty. |
Hence reˈcuperating vbl. n. and ppl. a.
| 1894 ‘R. Andom’ We Three & Troddles xix. 174 We each mentioned our favoured recuperating localities. 1979 B. Parvin Deadly Dyke xxiv. 128 Recuperating firemen stood watching the thick palls of smoke. |