Remending

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. The act of repairing or mending something again after it has been broken or damaged previously, often used to describe fixing torn fabric or worn items
2. The process of restoring or patching something that has already undergone a previous repair, commonly in textiles or materials that require repeated maintenance
3. Refixing or patching an object or material for a second or subsequent time to restore its function or appearance, especially in reference to clothing or soft goods

Etymology: "Remending" is the present participle and gerund of "remend," a verb formed from the prefix "re-" (again) and "mend" (to repair). "Mend" itself comes from Middle English "amenden," which passed through Old French "amender" from Latin "emendare," meaning to free from fault, correct or improve. Its sense of repairing a tear or a hole grew out of that broader idea of setting something right. Put together, "remend" means to mend again, so the word describes the second or later round of patching an item of clothing or soft goods. Its meaning is almost entirely transparent from its parts, which is why it reads as a plain compound rather than a word with a dramatic backstory.

Synonyms: repairing, fixing, mending, restoring, patching

Antonyms: damaging, breaking, destroying, ruining, worsening