▪ I. repatriate, v.
(rɪˈpeɪtrɪeɪt, riːˈpæt-)
[f. ppl. stem of late L. repatriāre to return to one's country, f. re- re- + patria native land. Cf. obs. F. repatrier (15th c.), F. rapatrier, It. ripatriare.]
1. a. trans. To restore (a person) to his own country. (Common in recent use.)
| 1611 Cotgr., Repatrier, to repatriate, or to restore to his owne home. 1619 in Crt. & Times Jas. I (1848) II. 143 Tobie Matthew is at Bruxelles, in some hope..to be re⁓patriated, before long. 1880 Fortn. Rev. Apr. 508 The number of those finally repatriated appears..to have been 102,000. 1890 Temple Bar Oct. 285 The French consul..repatriated me, sending me home by way of Alexandria. |
| refl. 1891 Howells Imperative Duty ii. 9 He perceived that the effort to repatriate himself must involve wounds. |
b. transf. of money.
| 1909 Westm. Gaz. 6 Aug. 10/4 A definite step is about to be taken to repatriate the United States silver coin which circulates in the Dominion of Canada. 1940 Economist 13 Jan. 64/2 A considerable amount of French capital remained in London last September and has for the most part been repatriated over the past four months. 1966 Wall St. Jrnl. 14 Nov. 24/4 In addition much of their overseas profits are ‘repatriated’ thus cutting the balance of payments deficit. 1978 Whig-Standard (Kingston, Ont.) 19 Jan. 7/7 Unless the province proposes to seize it [sc. the Sun Life Building] as a part of the $400 million to be repatriated to Quebec, it has no legal power to do anything. |
c. Canad. To devolve or return (legislation) to the constitutional authority of an autonomous country. Cf. patriate v.
| 1961 Ann. Reg. 1960 73 The Federal Government suggested that the British North America Act should be completely repatriated, making it entirely amendable in Canada rather than on application to the British Parliament. 1968 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 5 Feb. 8/5 Federal and provincial governments had been unable..to agree on a formula for repatriating and amending the constitution. 1978 Independencer (Ottawa) Jan./Feb. 5/1 Any attempt to repatriate our constitution would be divisive and not help National Unity. |
2. intr. To return to one's own country. rare.
| 1656 Blount Glossogr., Repatriate, to return again to ones Native Country. 1888 Gladstone in Morley Life (1903) III. 358 When do you repatriate? |
Hence reˈpatriated ppl. a.
| 1885 Lowe Bismarck II. ii. 148 The re-crowned and re⁓patriated Charles II. 1966 Wall St. Jrnl. 14 Nov. 24/4 Pfizer International's repatriated earnings and exports to affiliates have totaled more than $420 million since 1951. |
▪ II. repatriate, n.
(riːˈpæt-, riːˈpeɪtrɪeɪt)
[f. the vb.]
A repatriated person.
| 1921 Glasgow Herald 15 Nov. 5/3 The majority of these repatriates have the choice of living on totally inadequate means or entering the workhouse. 1945 Daily Mirror 27 Sept. 1/4 Seven ships have been named as bringing repatriates home to Britain. 1973 Times 17 Nov. 4/8 Mrs Meir, the Prime Minister, and..the Defence Minister, were among those at Lod airport today to give the repatriates a heroes' welcome. |