Reinaugurate is a twenty-two letter word that's often confused with the similar-sounding "re-inaugurate". The word is spelt /reɪnɔːɡjʊreɪt/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and refers to the formal reopening of a structure or location. It's not a commonly used word but may come up in discussions about historical monuments or buildings that underwent significant renovation or restoration. The word has its roots in the Latin 'inaugurare' meaning "to take omens" and was later used in English to signify the beginning of a new period.
Reinaugurate is a transitive verb that can be defined as the act of inaugurating or beginning again something or someone that has already been inaugurated or begun before. The term is formed by the combination of the prefix "re-" meaning "again" or "back" and the word "inaugurate" meaning to formally introduce, initiate, or commence a person or thing into a new position, office, or activity.
When applied to an object or structure, such as a building, monument, or public facility, reinaugurate refers to the action of performing a ceremony, event, or celebration to mark the reopening or recommencement of that particular space after a period of closure, renovation, or transition. This could apply to situations where historical sites, museums, or public venues undergo refurbishments or changes, and are then officially reopened to the public.
When used in relation to a person or a position of authority, reinaugurate implies reinstalling or initiating again an individual into a particular role, office, or duty that they previously held or occupied. This could be observed in political or ceremonial contexts, where a person is being formally reinstated or celebrated in a position or role that they have held in the past.
Overall, reinaugurate serves to describe the act of recommencing or reintroducing something or someone into a position, role, or activity that had previously been established or carried out.
The word "reinaugurate" is derived from the combination of two elements: "re-" and "inaugurate".
The prefix "re-" comes from the Latin prefix "re", which means "again" or "back", indicating repetition or restoration of an action.
The word "inaugurate" traces its origin to the Latin word "inaugurare", which means "to take omens from the flight of birds", derived from "inauguratio" meaning "divination by birds". In ancient Rome, before important events like the appointment of an official or the beginning of a sacred ceremony, priests would observe the flights and behavior of birds to predict the outcome. So, "inaugurate" gradually evolved to mean "to install in office with solemn ceremonies" or "to formally begin or initiate something".