restore
/rɪˈstɔː
/verb [with object]
1Bring back or re-establish (a previous right, practice, or situation): the government restored confidence in the housing market order was eventually restored by riot police...
- The Second Continental Congress long insisted that it was fighting only to restore English rights to the settlers under the traditional government of the empire.
- But while legislators can strengthen the system, Weill added, CEOs may play an even greater role in restoring the public's faith.
- Once again it seemed as if Fenwick had restored peace by holding to a strong position.
Synonyms
reinstate, put back, replace, bring back, reinstitute, reimpose, reinstall, rehabilitate, re-establish, return to a former position/state
1.1Return (someone or something) to a former condition, place, or position: the effort to restore him to office isn’t working...
- That is why I have returned to restore my clan to its glorious position that it once knew.
- Efforts are under way to introduce prescribed fires to restore pre-European savanna conditions.
- The need to restore royal authority, to return the realm to its condition in his grandfather's reign, was one of the main forces behind Henry II's reforms.
1.2Repair or renovate (a building, work of art, etc.) so as to return it to its original condition: the building has been lovingly restored...
- The architects renovated the entire exterior and tried to restore the building's initial appearance.
- Its historic buildings have been largely restored, and trendy cafes, restaurants and boutiques are flourishing.
- An Taisce did not propose that the building be restored as a cinema, but believed it should continue to be a showroom or a restaurant.
Synonyms
repair, fix, mend, refurbish, recondition, rehabilitate, rebuild, reconstruct, remodel, redecorate, revamp, make over, overhaul;
put back into its original condition;
redevelop, renovate, modernize, update, bring up to date;
upgrade, gentrify;
refit, re-equip, refurnish;
North American bring up to code
informal do up, fix up, give a facelift to
North American informal rehab
1.3Give (something stolen, taken away, or lost) back to the original owner or recipient: the government will restore land to those who lost it through confiscation...
- Data Availability becomes an issue when it takes hours to restore a lost/deleted file from an on-site backup tape.
- In 1052 Godwin's family engineered a successful return, forcing the king to restore their land and titles.
- While some paintings may be restored to their owners, others are damaged or never found.
Synonyms
return, give back, hand back, take back, remit
Derivatives
restorable
- Our reputation has suffered mainly through management incompetence and our competitors have put the boot in but the balance sheet is restorable.
- But increasingly scientists are also saying that, like cars, our bodies may be restorable.
- Our cottage had its very own Tudor Basket Fireplace (Similar to an Ingelnook but much rarer) in a restorable condition.
Origin
Middle English: from Old French restorer, from Latin restaurare 'rebuild, restore'.
This is from Old French restorer, from Latin restaurare ‘rebuild, restore’. This can also mean ‘to provide food for’ from its restorative effects, which is the source of restaurant (early 19th century).