/ɹɪˈnjuː/, /ɹəˈnjuː/, /ɹɪˈnu/
OriginFrom Middle English renewen, an alteration (possibly on analogy with Latin renovāre) of earlier anewen (“to renew”), from Old English nīewian (“to restore; renovate; renew”), equivalent to re- + new. Cognate with Old High German giniuwōn (“to renew”), Middle High German geniuwen (“to renew”), Old Norse nýja (“to renew”).
- transitiveTo make (something) new again; to restore to freshness or original condition.
“In such a night
Medea gather’d the enchanted herbs
That did renew old Æson.”
- transitiveTo replace (something which has broken etc.); to replenish (something which has been exhausted), to keep up a required supply of.
- To make new spiritually; to regenerate.
“And fassion not youre selves lyke vnto this worlde: But be ye chaunged in youre shape by the renuynge of youre wittes that ye maye fele what thynge that good yt acceptable and perfaycte will of god is”
“For which cause we faint not, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
- archaic, intransitiveTo become new, or as new; to revive.
“[…] to such as are in fear they strike a great impression, renew many times, and recal such chimeras and terrible fictions into their minds.”
“But Christianity was a new religious force in Augustine's day. Today, as you say, its power to integrate culture has all but disappeared. Does Christianity still have the capacity to renew?”
“Renewing neighborhoods dealing with vacant buildings badly need options other than demolition or dangerous vacant spaces.”
- transitiveTo begin again; to recommence.
“This murder has been a cold case for decades until last year when the new sheriff renewed the investigation.”
“Then gan he all this storie to renew,
And tell the course of his captivitie […]”
“1660, John Dryden, translating Virgil, (apparently from Eclogue 4), a snippet of translation used to introduce Dryden's Astræa Redux: A poem on the happy restoration and return of His Sacred Majesty C”
- rareTo repeat.
“The birds their notes renew, and bleating herds
Attest their joy, that hill and valley rings.”
- intransitive, transitiveTo extend a period of loan, especially a library book that is due to be returned.
“I'd like to renew these three books. Did you know that you can renew online?”
Formsrenews(present, singular, third-person) · renewing(participle, present) · renewed(participle, past) · renewed(past) · renews(plural)