- re-
- aff. a prefix, occurring orig. in loanwords from Latin, used to form verbs denoting action in a backward direction (recede; return; revert), action in answer to or intended to undo a situation (rebel; remove; respond; restore; revoke), or action done over, often with the implication that the outcome of the original action was in some way impermanent or inadequate, or that the performance of the new action brings back an earlier state of affairs (recapture; reoccur; repossess; retype). Also, red-•Etymology: ME < L re-, red-
From formal English to slang. 2014.