Resoldering

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. The process of reheating and applying solder to a joint that has previously been soldered, to restore or improve electrical connectivity or mechanical strength
2. The act of reheating and reapplying a metal alloy to a cooled joint in electronics or metalwork to correct or strengthen the connection
3. Engaging in the reheating and addition of solder to an existing joint in order to repair or enhance the bond between metal parts or electronic components

Etymology: "Resoldering" is simply the present participle and gerund of "resolder", which is formed from the prefix "re-", meaning "again" or "back", attached to "solder". The prefix is productive in English, so "resolder" follows the same pattern as "reheat" or "rebuild": one act of joining metal is undone or repeated by applying the same process a second time. The base word "solder" is the older and more interesting half. It comes from Old French "soudure", a term for joining or fusing, which traces back to the Latin "solidare", meaning "to make solid" or "to consolidate". That same Latin root gives English "solid" and "consolidate", so a joint made with solder is, in a sense, a place where separate pieces have been made into one solid whole. When a joint fails, resoldering repeats that solidifying step at the same point.