Reoccupying

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To assume control of a location that was previously left vacant again To resettle in a space that was once abandoned for active use To regain physical presence in an area that had been deserted before
2. Taking possession of a previously vacated place once more after a period of absence
3. Returning to inhabit or control an area that had been left empty or unused

Etymology: "Reoccupying" is the present participle of "reoccupy," a plain formation: the prefix "re-," meaning again or back, attached to "occupy." The verb "occupy" came into English from Old French "occuper," which in turn came from Latin "occupare," meaning to seize or take possession, built from "ob-" (toward or against) and "capere" (to take). So the core idea of "occupy" is taking hold of something, and "reoccupy" simply adds the sense of taking hold again. Because "re-" is a productive prefix that English attaches freely to verbs, "reoccupy" is a transparent coinage rather than a word with a dramatic history of its own. Its meaning follows directly from its parts: to occupy a place, space or position once more after having left it. The "-ing" ending turns the verb into the participle used here, describing the act of moving back into a place already once held.

Synonyms: resettling, reinhabiting

Antonyms: vacating