Recapture
/ˌriːˈkæptʃər/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo seize again; to regain possession of something.
/ˌriːˈkæptʃər/
To take possession of something again.
The police managed to recapture the escaped prisoner.
💡 Simply: Imagine you lost your favorite toy. Recapturing means getting it back! It's like when a team wins back control of the ball in a game.
👶 For kids: To get something back that you lost.
More Examples
The company hopes to recapture its market share with a new product.
They were determined to recapture the island.
How It's Used
"The troops recaptured the city after a fierce battle."
"She tried to recapture her lost youth by taking up old hobbies."
To experience again; to evoke or re-create something from the past.
/ˌriːˈkæptʃər/
To experience or evoke again (a feeling, memory, etc.).
She tried to recapture the joy she felt during her wedding day.
💡 Simply: Ever get a feeling of joy again? It's like trying to hold onto a happy memory or feeling again. Recapturing is remembering and experiencing something like a memory.
👶 For kids: To feel a feeling again, like remembering something fun.
More Examples
The music helped him recapture the emotions of his youth.
The aroma of the bakery recaptured memories of his grandmother's kitchen.
How It's Used
"The author's writing style aimed to recapture the nostalgia of childhood."
"Therapy can help patients recapture a sense of normalcy."
From re- (again) + capture, ultimately from Latin captūra (a taking, seizure).
Historically used in military contexts to describe regaining territory or resources, and has evolved to include the re-experiencing of emotions and memories.
Memory tip
Think of 're-' meaning again, and 'capture' – seizing. Put them together, and you get 'seizing again'.
Word Origin
"To take, seize"