re-

back, again; restoration or reversal

Forms

re-
red- — An early Latin form used before vowels and h.

Origin

Its ancestry before Latin is uncertain.

Note

In some old compounds the prefix adds emphasis, while in others its separate contribution has become unclear.

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noun

relative

REL-uh-tiv/rˈɛlʌtɪv/

A person connected to someone by family ties.

The girl looks through a family photograph with an older relative, her grandmother.

A Black grandmother and granddaughter compare a family photo together.

Etymology

reLatinback, again; restoration or reversal

+latLatinbear, carry, bring

+iveLatinhaving a quality or tendency

From “carrying back” came the idea of having reference or relation to something else. The family noun specializes that broader connection: a relative is someone connected to another through kinship.

In context

Jews for Judaism5:54

a child has not been named after this deceased person in the family so in ashkenazic families it's very common to name a new child after a deceased relative

THE LIFE CYCLE OF JUDAISM: From Cradle to Grave - Rabbi Michael Skobac - Jews for Judaism

More examples

My aunt is the only relative who lives nearby.
Are you and Maria relatives?
He stays with distant relatives when he visits Chicago.

Forms

relative · relatives

Similar words

relation: Also means a family member, but is less common.
kin: Usually refers to family members collectively rather than individually.