revive

verb revives · reviving · revived · revive

1. transitive To cause (a person or animal) to recover from a faint; to cause (a person or animal) to return to a state of consciousness. Near-synonym: rescue

   Similar: rescue

2. transitive To bring (a person or animal which is dead) back to life. And in her cheekes the vermeill red did ſhevv / Like roſes in a bed of lilies ſhed, / The vvhich ambroſiall odours from them threvv, / And gazers ſence vvith double pleaſure fed, / Hable to heale the ſicke, and to reuiue the ded.

   Similar: reanimate, resurrect

3. figuratively, transitive To cause (something) to recover from a state of decline, neglect, oblivion, or obscurity; to make (something) active or lively again; to reanimate, to revitalize. The Manx language has been revived after dying out, and is now taught in some schools on the Isle of Man.

   Similar: reestablish, refresh, reinvigorate, renew, revivify, rally

4. figuratively, transitive To cause (a feeling, state of mind, etc.) to come back or return; to reactivate, to reawaken. Partriche. Of all foules is moſte ſooneſt digeſted: and hath in hym moche nutriment, comforteth the brayne, and maketh ſede of generation,. and reuiueth luſte, whiche is abated.
5. figuratively, transitive To renew (something) in one's or people's memories or minds; to bring back (something) to (public) attention; to reawaken. The Harry Potter books and films revived the world’s interest in wizardry.

   Similar: rekindle, resurrect

6. figuratively, transitive To make (something which has become faded or unclear) clear or fresh again; to refresh. It was very odd; his clothes were a fine, deep, glossy, black, and yet they looked like the same suit; nay, there were the very darns, with which old acquaintance had made us familiar. […] The truth flashed suddenly upon us—they had been "revived." 'Tis a deceitful liquid that black and blue reviver
7. figuratively, historical, transitive To restore (a metal (especially mercury) or other substance in a compound or mixture) to its pure or unmixed state. to revive a metal after calcination
8. figuratively, historical, transitive To give new validity to (a law or legal instrument); to reenact, to revalidate. [Y]et by his moſte excellent witte⸝ he in a few yeres⸝ nat only broughte this realme in good ordre and vnder due obedience⸝ reuiued the lawes⸝ auanced Juſtice⸝ refurniſſhed his dominions⸝ and repayred his manours: […]
9. also, figuratively, transitive To put on a new production of (a musical, play, or other stage performance; also, a film or television programme). A Prologue to the Play of Queene Elizabeth [I] as it vvas laſt revived at the Cock-pit, in vvhich the Author taxeth the moſt corrupted copy novv imprinted, vvhich vvas publiſhed vvithout his conſent.
10. figuratively, obsolete, rare, transitive To bring (someone) back to a state of health or vigour. What helpes reuiue, / the thriuing, to thriue. / Plough fence and ſtore, / aught elſe before.
11. figuratively, obsolete, rare, transitive To rerun (an election).
12. intransitive To recover from a faint; to return to a state of consciousness. He is in ſuche a ſwounde [swoon] yͭ I wene he wyll neuer reuyue againe […]
13. intransitive Of a dead person or animal: to be brought back to life. For Chriſt therfore dyed and roſe agayne⸝ ãd [and] revived⸝ that he ſhuld be lorde both of deed and quicke.

    Similar: reanimate

14. intransitive Of a person, animal, or plant: to return to a state of health or vigour, especially after almost dying. I Quycken I reuyue as a thyng dothe that fyrſt doth begyn to ſtyrre or yͭ was wyddered or almoſte deed and retourneth to lyfe againe⸝ […]
15. figuratively, intransitive To recover from a state of decline, neglect, oblivion, or obscurity; to become active or lively again; to reanimate, to revitalize. Classical learning revived in the 15th century.
16. figuratively, intransitive Of a feeling, state of mind, etc.: to come back or return; to be reactivated or reawakened. [W]hẽ [when] he ſaw the lord de la vale his hert reuyued and thought there was ſome tretye in hande.
17. figuratively, intransitive, obsolete, rare Of a metal (especially mercury) or other substance in a compound or mixture: to return to its pure or unmixed state.
18. figuratively, historical, intransitive, uncommon Of a law or legal instrument: to be given new validity.
19. also, figuratively, intransitive Of a musical, play, or other stage performance; also, a film or television programme: to have a new production put on. It is not now doubted but plays will revive, and take their usual place in the opinion of persons of wit and merit, notwithstanding their late apostacy^([sic – meaning apostasy]) in favour of dress and sound.

Opposite: deanimate, devitalize, devive

noun revives

1. obsolete Synonym of revival (“an act of reviving, or a state of being revived (in various senses)”). [F]irst called at Wotton's, the shoemaker's, who tells me the reason of [Henry] Harris's going from Sir W[illia]m Davenant's house, that he grew very proud and demanded £20 for himself extraordinary, more than [Thomas] Betterton, or any body else, upon every new play, and £10 upon every revive; […]

   Similar: revival