recoverable 
Being the only case in which damages were recoverable 
in any possessory actions at the common law. 
BlacMnne, Com., III. x. 
5. That may be recovered from. [Rare.] 
Whether the sicknesse or disease be curable and recover- 
able, yea, or no? J. Oaule, IIv-pai>Ti'a, an. 1652, p. 240. 
recoverableness (re-kuv'er-a-bl-nes), . The 
state of being recoverable; capability of being 
recovered. 
recoverancet (re-kuv'er-ans), n. [< OF. re- 
coverance, recovrance, recuvrance, rccoucrance, 
F. recouvrant, pp. of reeouvrer, recover : see re- 
cover 2 .] Recovery. York Plays, p. 223. 
recoveree (re-kuv-er-e' ), n. [< recover^ + -ee 1 .] 
In law, the tenant or person against whom a 
judgment is obtained in common recovery. See 
common. 
recoverer 1 (re-kuv'er-er), n. [< ME. recoverer, 
< OF. recovrebr, recouvreur, < recovrer, recover: 
see recover' 2 .] One who recovers; a recoveror. 
recoverer 2 !, [ME.,< OF. recovrier, aid, help, 
recovery, < recovrer, recover: see recover 2 .] 
Aid; help; recovery. 
And by that Castell where-of I speke hadde the saisnes 
all her recnuerer and all her socour of the contrey. 
Merlin (E. E. T. S.), ii. 185. 
recoveror (re-kuv'er-or), n. [< OF. recovreor, 
etc.: see recoverer 1 .] In law, the demandant 
or person who obtains a judgment in his favor 
in common recovery. See common. 
recovery (re-kuv'er-i), n.; pi. recoveries (-iz). 
[Early mod. E. recovery, recoverie; < AF. re- 
covery (Littleton), OF. recovree, recuvree, re- 
couvree, recoveree, recovery, < recovrer, recover: 
see recover 2 , v. Cf. recover 2 , n., and discovery.] 
1. The act or power of recovering, regaining, 
retaking, conquering again, or obtaining re- 
newed possession : as, to offer a reward for the 
recovery of stolen goods. 
What the devil should move me to undertake the re- 
covery of this drum? Shak., All's Well, iv. 1. 38. 
Mario Sanudo, a Venetian, . . . lived about the 14th Age, 
a Man full of zeal for the recovery of the Holy Land. 
Arbuthnot, Ancient Coins, p. 269. 
2. Restoration from a bad to a good condition ; 
especially, restoration from sickness, faintness, 
or the like ; also, restoration from low condition 
or misfortune. 
Let us come in, that we may bind him fast, 
And bear him home for his recovery. 
Shak., C. of E., v. 1. 41. 
This year much of the wheat is destroyed, . . . but the 
Lord hath sent much rain for the recovery of the remainder. 
N. Morton, New England s Memorial, p. 321. 
Pray tell me how you are, and if you are making a good 
recovery. Sydney Smith, To Countess Grey. 
3f. Attainment; reaching. 
To thintent that his adversaryes showld not have ready 
recovery of the shore, and coome a land. 
Polydore Vergil, Hist. Eng., xxv. (Camden Soc.), p. 213. 
4. In law, the obtaining of right to something 
by a verdict or judgment of court from an op- 
posing party in a suit: as, the recovery of debt, 
damages, and costs by a plaintiff ; the recovery 
of costs by a defendant ; the recovery of land in 
ejectment. Compare fine 1 , n., 3. 5. In fen- 
cing, the return of the fencer to his original 
position "on guard" after extending himself in 
the lunge (which see). It is done by raising the left 
hand sharply, withdrawing the right foot from its place 
in extension, and flexing the right elbow more or less till 
the foil or sword is in the proper position to await the 
opponent's riposte (which see). Abolition Of Fines 
and Recoveries Act. See finei. Common or feigned 
recovery. See common. 
recrayedt, [ME., < OF. recreii (= It. ricre- 
duto), pp. of recroire, be recreant (see recreant), 
+ E. -ed 2 .] Recreant. 
Ac reddestow neuere Regum, thow recrayed Mede, 
Whi the veniaunce fel on Saul and on his children? 
Piers Plowman (B), iii. 257. 
recreance (rek're-ans), n. [< ME. recreance, < 
OF. recreance, weariness, faintness, faint-heart- 
edness, < recreant, weary, faint-hearted, cow- 
ardly : see recreant.] Recreancy. Chaucer. 
recreancy (rek're-an-si), n. [As recreance 
(see -ci/).] The quality of being recreant; a 
cowardly yielding; mean-spiritedness. 
Amidst the poignancy of her regrets, her shame for her 
recreancy was sharper still. 
HoweUs, Annie Kilburn, xxvii. 
recreandiset, [ME. recreaundise, < OF. re- 
t:reandiKC,recreantise, weakness, cowardice, rec- 
reancy, < recreant, recreant: see recreant.] 
Recreancy; apostasy; desertion of principle. 
I seye nought for recreaundise, 
For I nought doute of youre servise. 
Rom. of the Rose, \. 2107. 
recreant (rek're-ant), .. and n. [< ME. recre- 
ant, recreaunt, 'recrai/haiid, < OF. recreant, re- 
6011 
creaunt, giving up the contest, acknowledging 
defeat, weary; as a noun, one who acknow- 
ledges defeat, a craven, recreant; < ML. recre- 
den(t-)s, ppr. (cf. equiv. recreditus, a recreant, 
prop, pp.) of recredere (> OF. recroire), give in, 
recant; se recredere, own oneself beaten in a 
duel or judicial combat; lit. 'believe again, '< L. 
re-, again, + credere, believe: see credent. Cf. 
miscreant.'] I. a. 1. Ready to yield in fight ; ac- 
knowledging defeat ; hence, craven ; cowardly. 
Compare craven. 
He that despeireth hym is lyke the coward champioun 
recreant, that seith "recreaunt" withoute nede. 
Chaucer, Parson's Tale. 
Thou wear a lion's hide ! doff it for shame, 
And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs. 
Shale., K. John, iii. 1. 128. 
2. Unfaithful to duty ; betraying trust. 
And if I eny man it graunte, 
Holdeth me for recreaunte. 
Rom. of the Rote, 1. 4090. 
Who, for so many benefits received, 
Turn'd recreant to God, ingrate and false. 
Milton, F. E.., iii. 138. 
Then and there I ... offered up a vow . . . that I 
would in no manner prove recreant to her dear memory, or 
to the memory of the devout affection with which she had 
blessed me. Poe, Tales, I. 449. 
II. n. One who yields in combat and cries 
craven; one who begs for mercy; hence, a mean- 
spirited, cowardly, or unfaithful wretch. 
With his craftez ganne he calle, 
And callede thame recrayhandes alle, 
Kynge, knyghtes in-with walle. 
Perceval, 610. (Hattiwett.) 
You are all recreants and dastards. 
Shak., 2 Hen. VI., iv. 8. 28. 
We find St. Paul 
No recreant to this faith delivered once. 
Browning, Ring and Book, II. 84. 
recreantly (rek're-ant-li), adv. [< ME. recre- 
antly ; < recreant -ly 2 .] In a recreant or 
cowardly manner; basely; falsely. 
That he wold be dede ful recreantly, 
Or discomflte wold this cruell geant. 
Rom. ofPartcnay(E. E. T. S.), 1. 4436. 
recreate 1 (rek're-at), v. [< L. recreatns, pp. of 
recreare (> It. ricreare = Sp. Pg. Pr. recrear = 
OF. recreer, F. recreer), create or make again, 
revive, refresh, recruit, < re-, again, + creare, 
create : see create.] I. trans. To revive or re- 
fresh after toil or exertion; reanimate, as lan- 
guid spirits or exhausted strength ; amuse ; di- 
vert; gratify. 
Sweete sauers [savors] greatly recreatynge and comfort- 
ynge nature. 
Peter Martyr (tr. in Eden's First Books on America, 
[ed. Arber, p. 151). 
Go, recreate yourselves abroad ; go, sport. 
B. Jonson, Volpone, v. 3. 
Painters, when they work on white grounds, place be- 
fore them colours mixed with blue and green to recreate 
their eyes. Dryden. 
As every day brought her stimulating emotion, so every 
night yielded her recreating rest. 
Charlotte Bronte, Shirley, xx. 
= Syn. To reanimate, enliven, cheer, entertain. 
H. intrans. To take recreation. 
They suppose the souls in purgatory have liberty to 
recreate. L. Addison, State of the Jews, p. 121. (Latham.) 
recreate 2 (re-kre-af), v. t. [< L. recreatus, 
pp. of recreare, create again: see recreate 1 .] 
To create anew: often written distinctively 
re-create. 
On opening the campaign of 1776, instead of reinforcing, 
it was necessary to recreate the army. 
Marshall. (Webster.) 
The mass of men, whose very souls even now 
Seem to need re-creating. 
Browning, King and Book, IL 225. 
recreation 1 (rek-re-a'shon), n. [< ME. recre- 
ation, recreacyon, recreacioun, < OF. recreation, 
F. recreation = Pr. recreacio = Sp. recreacion 
= Pg. recreacao = It. ricreazione, recreation, 
diversion, < L. recreatio(n-), recovery from ill- 
ness, restoration, < recreare, pp. recreatns, re- 
fresh, revive: see recreate 1 ."] 1. The act of 
recreating, or the state of being recreated; re- 
freshment of the strength and spirits after toil ; 
amusement; diversion; also, some occupation 
which serves to recreate or amuse. 
Vnkyndely thei kidde them ther kyng for to kenne. 
With carefull comforth and colde (poor] recreacioun. 
Ynrk Plays, p. 481. 
God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recre- 
ation than angling. /. Walton, Complete Angler, i. 6. 
Soft Recreations fit the Female-kind : 
Nature for Men has rougher Sports design'd. 
Conyreve, tr. of Ovid's Art of Love. 
2. A short piece of music introduced among 
technical exercises for variety and practice in 
style. 3f. Dinner; refreshment; refection. 
recrimination 
We will to our recreation. Shak., \,. T,. L., iv. >. 173. 
= Syn. 1. Anuuenunt, Entertainment, etc. (see pastime), 
sport, play. 
recreation 2 (re-kre-a'shon), n. [< L. rccrea- 
ti/>(n-), in lit. sense: see recreation 1 and recre- 
ate 2 .] The act of creating or forming anew; a 
new creation ; specifically, in theol., regenera- 
tion. Also written re-creation. 
recreational (rek-re-a'shon-al), a. [< rrrrea- 
tion 1 + -al.] Of, pertaining to, or conducing to 
recreation. The Century, XL. 176. 
recreation-ground (rek-re-a'shpn-ground), n. 
A place set apart for sports and other recrea- 
tions. 
recreative (rek're-a-tiv), a. [< OF. recreatif, 
F. recreatif, diverting, amusing, = Sp. Pg. re- 
creativo It. ricreativo, < L. recreare, pp. recre- 
ate, recreate, revive, restore, etc. : see recre- 
ate 1 .] Tending to recreate; refreshing; giv- 
ing new vigor or animation ; giving relief after 
labor or pain ; amusing ; diverting. 
Another Vision happned to the same Authoure, as com- 
fortable recreatyve as the former was dolorous. 
Puttenham, Partheniades. 
Let not your recreations be lavish spenders of your time ; 
but choose such which are healthful, short, transient, 
recreative. Jer. Taylor, Holy Living, L 1. 
In this "Manual of Sins" . . . our recreative monk has 
introduced short tales, some grave and some he deemed 
facetious, which convey an idea of domestic life and do- 
mestic language. /. D' Israeli, Amen, of Lit., I. 1S8. 
recreatively (rek're-a-tiv-li), adv. In a rec- 
reative manner; with recreation or diversion. 
Imp. Diet. 
recreativeness (rek're-a-tiv-nes), n. The qual- 
ity of being recreative, refreshing, or diverting. 
recrement (rek're-ment), n. [< OF. recrement, 
F. recrement = Sp. Pg. recremento, refuse, < L. 
recrementum, dross, slag, < "recernere, < re-, 
back, + cernere, pp. cretus, separate: see con- 
cern, concrete, and cf. excrement 1 .] 1. Super- 
fluous matter separated from that which is 
useful; dross; scoria; spume. 
Of all the visible creatures that God hath made, none is 
so pure and simple as light ; it discovers all the foulness 
of the most earthly recrements, it mixeth with none of 
them. /'/'- Hall, Remains, p. 41. 
2. In med., a fluid which, after having been 
separated from the blood, is returned to it, as 
the saliva, the secretion of serous membranes, 
etc. 
recremental (rek-re-men'tal), a. [< recrement 
+ -al.] Consisting of or pertaining to recre- 
ment ; recrementitious. Armstrong, Art of Pre- 
serving Health, iii. 254. 
recrementitial (rek"re-men-tish'al), a. [< F. 
recrementitiel ; as recrement + -ii-ial.] Same 
as recrementitious. 
recrementitious (rek're-men-tish'us), a. [= 
Sp. Pg. recrementicio ; as recrement + -it-iotis."] 
Drossy; consisting of superfluous matter sepa- 
rated from that which is valuable. Boyle, 
Works, I. 643. 
recrewt(re-kro'), ' [< *recrew, < OF. recreue, 
recrue, a supply, spare stores, recruit, F. re- 
crue, supply, addition, recruit, levy: see re- 
cnrit.] To recruit. 
One intire troop with some other odd troopers, and some 
stragling foot, that were to recrew other companies. 
Prince Rupert's beating up of the Rebel Quarters at Post- 
[comb and Chinner (1643), p. xvi. (Davies.) 
recriminate (re-krim'i-nat), v. [< ML. recri- 
minatus, pp. of recriminare (> It. rear iminare = 
Sp. Pg. recreminar = OF. recriminer, F. recrimi- 
ner), accuse in return, < L. re-, back, + crimi- 
nari, accuse: see criminate.] I. intrans. To 
return one accusation with another; retort a 
charge; charge an accuser with a like crime. 
Such are some of the personalities with which Decker 
recriminated. I. D'lsraeli, Calamities of Authors, II. 339. 
II. trans. To accuse in return. [Rare.] 
Did not Joseph lie under black infamy ? he scorned so 
much as to clear himself, or to recriminate the strumpet, 
South. 
recrimination (re-krim-i-na'shpn), n. [< OF. 
recrimination, F. 'recrimination = Sp. recrimi- 
nacion = Pg. recriminacSo = It. recrimination c, 
< ML. recriminatio(n-), < recriminare, recrimi- 
nate: see recriminate.] 1. The act of recrim- 
inating; the meeting of an accusation by a 
counter-accusation: as, to indulge in mutual 
recriminations. 
Let us endeavour to remove this objection, not by re- 
crimination (which is too easie in such cases), but by living 
suitably to our holy Religion. 
Stillinfffleet, Sermons, II. vi. 
Short-sighted and injudicious, however, as the conduct 
of England may be in this systi:m of aspersion, recrimina- 
tion on our part wonld be equally ill-judged. 
Ircing, Sketch-Book, p. 76. 
