Reconstruct
/ˌriːkənˈstrʌkt/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo build or create something again, to rebuild or recreate.
/ˌriːkənˈstrʌkt/
To rebuild or remake something, especially after it has been damaged or destroyed.
After the earthquake, the town worked to reconstruct the damaged buildings.
💡 Simply: Imagine a Lego castle gets smashed. To reconstruct it is to put it back together, brick by brick. It's like making something new from old or broken parts.
👶 For kids: To put something back together again, like building blocks after they fall down.
More Examples
The archaeologists spent years trying to reconstruct the ancient civilization's practices.
The artist used fragmented pieces to reconstruct a portrait.
How It's Used
"Historians are trying to reconstruct the events leading up to the fire."
"The city decided to reconstruct the historic building."
"The police are using evidence to reconstruct the crime scene."
To form a mental image or account of something based on available information, often incomplete.
/ˌriːkənˈstrʌkt/
To recreate an event or situation in one's mind, especially based on incomplete information.
The witness tried to reconstruct the events of the accident.
💡 Simply: Imagine you heard a story, but you missed parts of it. Reconstructing it is like piecing together what probably happened, filling in the gaps with what you do know. It's like being a detective, but with information.
👶 For kids: To make a picture in your head of what happened, even if you don't know everything.
More Examples
Based on the evidence, they attempted to reconstruct the timeline.
The novel's plot required the reader to reconstruct the events leading to the mystery.
How It's Used
"Therapists help patients to reconstruct their memories."
"The author attempted to reconstruct the protagonist's thoughts at the critical moment."
"Detectives are trying to reconstruct what happened at the scene of the crime."
From Latin *re-*, meaning "again," and *construere*, meaning "to build." The verb emerged in the mid-17th century, originally referring to rebuilding something physically.
The word has been used since the 17th century. Originally it was used mainly in construction and architecture, but later expanded to the figurative meaning.
Memory tip
Think of the word 'construct'. Reconstructing is doing it again.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: re- (again) + construere (to build)