verb
rehabilitate
ree-uh-BIL-ih-tayt/ˌriːəˈbɪlɪteɪt/
To restore someone or something to a functional, accepted condition.
The physical therapist helps rehabilitate a patient learning to walk again.
Etymology
The pieces suggest making someone fit or capable again. Originally used for restoring lost rights or standing, the word broadened to restoring health, ability, reputation, or ordinary life.
In context
instead of doing what I call missionary dating, where you date someone hoping you can fix them and change them and rehabilitate them or resuscitate them
More examples
- The program rehabilitates former prisoners through counseling and job training.
- The city is rehabilitating several neglected apartment buildings.
- The new evidence helps rehabilitate her reputation.
Forms
rehabilitate · rehabilitates · rehabilitated · rehabilitating
rehabilitation noun — The process of restoring health, function, or standing.
rehabilitative adjective — Helping restore health, ability, or social standing.