rehabilitate
ree-uh-BIL-uh-tayt
/ˌriːəˈbɪlɪteɪt/
To restore an injured, sick, or traumatized animal to health or normal behavioral functioning.
Implies a structured medical or psychological recovery process designed to restore health or socialization.
The story behind the word. Formed from Latin 're-' (again) and 'habilitare' (to make suitable), derived from 'habilis' (fit, capable). To rehabilitate an animal literally means making it fit again for living happily.
Word relationships
- restore: 'Restore' means returning something to a former, undamaged condition.
- heal: 'Heal' focuses specifically on physical injury or illness recovery.
- harm: 'Harm' means causing injury or damage.
- disable: 'Disable' means to impair function or health.
Commonly confused with
- rehome: 'Rehabilitate' means healing or training an animal, whereas 'rehome' means finding it a new owner.
Word family
- rehabilitation (noun): The process of restoring good health or ability.
- rehabilitative (adjective): Helping to restore health or physical capability.
Collocations
- rehabilitate animals
- rehabilitate wildlife
- rehabilitate traumatized pets
Example sentences
- "The sanctuary staff worked tirelessly for months to rehabilitate the injured hawk so it could return to the wild." Wild animal rescue log
Memory hook
RE + ABILITY = Giving back the ABILITY to live healthily again. Restore to health and fitness.
When not to use
Do not use for basic feeding or routine shelter stays that require no special medical or behavioral therapy.
Fun facts
- Wildlife rehabilitators often require specialized government permits to handle and heal wild species.
Explore more words
rehabilitation, restore, recuperate, remediate, restoration, remedial
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