re·claim
verb \ri-ˈklām\
: to get back (something that was lost or taken away)
: to make (land) available for use by changing its condition
: to get (a usable material) from materials that have been used before
transitive verb
1
a : to recall from wrong or improper conduct : reform b : tame, subdue
2
a : to rescue from an undesirable state; also : to restore to a previous natural state <reclaim mining sites> b : to make available for human use by changing natural conditions <reclaim swampland>
3
: to obtain from a waste product or by-product : recover <reclaimed plastic>
4
a : to demand or obtain the return of
b : to regain possession of
— re·claim·able adjective
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Examples of RECLAIM
- Sons and daughters are proudly reclaiming the traditions that their parents had forgotten.
- She reclaimed the title of world champion this year.
Origin of RECLAIM
Middle English reclamen, from Anglo-French reclamer, from Latin reclamare to cry out, protest, from re- + clamare to cry out — more at claim
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to RECLAIM
Synonyms
get back, reacquire, recapture, recover, re-collect, recoup, regain, repossess, retake, retrieve
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(From: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reclaim, 8.10.14)