recovery
rih-KUV-uh-ree
/rɪˈkʌvəri/
A return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength; the action of regaining possession of something.
In recycling, 'resource recovery' is the process of extracting materials or energy from waste.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'recuperare,' which means 'to get back.' It combines 're-' (again) and a root related to 'capere' (to take). It's about taking back what was once yours.
Word relationships
- reclamation: Reclamation often refers to getting land back from the sea or waste; recovery is more general.
- loss: The fact or process of losing something or someone.
Commonly confused with
- recuperation: Recuperation is almost exclusively used for health; recovery can be used for health, economics, or materials.
Word family
- recover (verb): To get back.
- recoverable (adjective): Able to be recovered.
Collocations
- resource recovery
- economic recovery
- full recovery
Idioms & expressions
- on the road to recovery
Example sentences
- "Resource recovery from electronic waste is essential for reducing the need for new mining operations." Recycling industry.
- "The tech sector showed a strong recovery after the supply chain disruptions of the previous year." Economic news.
Memory hook
Think of 'recovering' the 'cover'—getting back the protection you lost. Getting back.
When not to use
Don't use it for simply 'finding' something; it implies a process of getting something back that was lost or hidden.
Fun facts
- One ton of discarded mobile phones contains more gold than one ton of gold ore.
Explore more words
revitalization, resilience, revitalize, recuperate, resilient
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