recover

verb

1. 1

   To get back, to regain (a physical thing; in astronomy and navigation, sight of a thing or a signal).

   After days of inquiries, he finally recovered his lost wallet.

   For days telescopes surveyed the skies to recover the small asteroid.

   And Dauid recouered all that the Amalekites had caried away: and Dauid reſcued his two wiues.

   Not unnaturally, “Auntie” took this communication in bad part. Thus outraged, she showed herself to be a bold as well as a furious virago. Next day she found her way to their lodgings and tried to recover her ward by the hair of the head.

2. 2

   To salvage, to extricate, to rescue (a thing or person).

   They recovered three of the explorers very much alive, then another, wracked with severe hypothermia, who was taken to hospital.

   Network Rail doesn't expect the line through Carmont to open for around a month, as it faces the mammoth task of recovering the two power cars and four coaches from ScotRail's wrecked train, repairing bridge 325, stabilising earthworks around the landslip, and replacing the track.

3. 3

   To replenish to, resume (a good state of mind or body).

   At the top of the hill I asked to stop for a few minutes to recover my strength.

   Whether you need to recover from a stressful day, a strenuous workout or even an injury or surgery, restorative yoga may be just the thing for you.

4. 4

   To obtain a positive judgement; to win in a lawsuit.

   The plaintiff recovered in his suit, being awarded declaratory relief and a clearing of his name.

5. 5

   To gain as compensation or reparation, usually by formal legal process.

   to recover damages in trespass; to recover debt and costs in a legal action or that is owing

   to recover lands in ejectment or common recovery

   recover one's investment

6. 6

   obsoleteTo reach (a place), arrive at.

   The forest is not three leagues off; / If we recover that, we're sure enough.

   But with much ado the Christians recovered to Antioch, having ſcarce a third part of them left, their horſes all dead, and themſelves ſcarce mounted on their legs, miſerably weak; as what the mercy of ſword, plague, and famine had pleaſed to ſpare.

   Except he could recover one of the Cities of Refuge he was to die.

7. 7

   archaicTo restore to good health, consciousness, life etc.

   The wine in my bottle will recover him.

   And that they may recouer themſelues out of the ſnare of the deuill, who are taken captiue by him at his will.

   Cnelius a physician[…]gave him a clyster, by which he was speedily recovered.

   The fever must have run its course by now, and if he is about to die I will recover him.

8. 8

   archaicTo make good by reparation; to make up for; to retrieve; to repair the loss or injury of.

   to recover lost time

   Even good men have […]many failings and lapses to lament and recover.

   21 May, 1665, Abraham Cowley, letter to Dr. Thomas Sprat I do hope to recover my late hurt.

   when I had recovered a little, Friday (said I) God will at last punish him severely

9. 9

   To regain one's composure, balance etc.

   Spinning round, he caught a stone with his ankle, but recovered quickly before turning to face me.

   Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.

10. 10

    To get better, to regain health or prosperity.

    I was hurt, but I knew I’d recover, given time.

    Without calling in Business Recovery experts, the company saw trade and investor confidence recover sharply in the wake of the crisis.

    I lost out in the deal, but I quickly recovered financially

    It takes time and good health to recover from injury, surgery, a bereavement and emotional turmoil

11. 11

    archaicTo recover from.

    To the end of his days, he never fully recovered his daughter's death.

noun

1. 1

   obsoleteRecovery.

   It was neuer in my thoughte saide laūcelot to withholde the quene from my lord Arthur / but in soo moche she shold haue ben dede for my sake / me semeth it was my parte to saue her lyf and putte her from that daunger tyl better recouer myghte come / & now I thanke god sayd sir Launcelot that the pope hath made her pees

2. 2

   A position of holding a firearm during exercises, whereby the lock is at shoulder height and the sling facing out.

3. 3

   datedThe forward movement in rowing, after one stroke to take another (recovery).

verb

1. 1

   To cover again.

2. 2

   To add a new roof membrane or steep-slope covering over an existing one.

Forms

plural

recovers

past tense

recovered

past participle

recovered

present participle

recovering

third person singular

recovers