Relumes

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To rekindle or ignite again, typically referring to lighting a fire or flame once more; to restore brightness or liveliness to something that had dimmed or faded; to refresh enthusiasm or interest in a previously vibrant activity
2. To light up anew, especially in the context of rekindling a flame or light source; to reinvigorate or brighten an object or feeling that has lost its intensity; to renew passion or excitement in a previously spirited context
3. To cause a flame or light to burn again after being extinguished; to revive or enhance the glow or brilliance of something dim or dull; to awaken or boost energy or zest that had diminished previously

Etymology: "Relumes" is the third-person singular form of "relume," so the root is the verb "relume," which means to light again. It is built from the prefix "re-", meaning "again," and "lume," a shortened form of "illume" (to light up), which came into English from Old French and ultimately from Latin "illuminare." The prefix "re-" passed into English through Old French "re-" from Latin "re-," and it has carried the sense of repetition since Latin times. The verb's history is largely a story of a word that outlived its everyday use. "Illume" and "lume" were once common ways to describe light and brightness, and "relume" grew from that stock by adding the familiar "again" sense. Because the base was already a lighting word, the verb naturally extended from fire to general brightness and then to figurative revival of enthusiasm.

Synonyms: rekindles, relights, reignites, reilluminates

Antonyms: extinguishes, douses, quenches