renew

present singular third person renews · participle present renewing · participle past renewed · past renewed

1. transitiveTo make (something) new again; to restore to freshness or original condition.First known use 14ᵗʰc.

   In such a night Medea gather’d the enchanted herbs That did renew old Æson.

   c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]

2. transitiveTo replace (something which has broken etc.); to replenish (something which has been exhausted), to keep up a required supply of.First known use 14ᵗʰc.
3. lifestyleTo make new spiritually; to regenerate.First known use 14ᵗʰc.

   For which cause we faint not, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Corinthians 4:16

   1 more example

   And fassion not youre selves lyke vnto this worlde: But be ye chaunged in youre shape by the renuynge of youre wittes that ye maye fele what thynge that good yt acceptable and perfaycte will of god is.

   1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Romans xij:[2]

4. archaicintransitiveTo become new, or as new; to revive.First known use 15ᵗʰ–18ᵗʰc.

   Renewing neighborhoods dealing with vacant buildings badly need options other than demolition or dangerous vacant spaces.

   2010 September, Michael Allen, "St. Louis Preservation Fund", St. Louis magazine, ISSN 1090-5723, Vol.16, Is.9, p.74

   2 more examples

   […]to such as are in fear they strike a great impression, renew many times, and recal such chimeras and terrible fictions into their minds.

   1621, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy, […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and Iames Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC

   But Christianity was a new religious force in Augustine's day. Today, as you say, its power to integrate culture has all but disappeared. Does Christianity still have the capacity to renew?

   1997 July, “Seeking Christian interiority: An interview with Louis Dupre”, in Christian Century, volume 114, number 21, page 654

5. transitiveTo begin again; to recommence.First known use 16ᵗʰc.

   This murder has been a cold case for decades until last year when the new sheriff renewed the investigation.

   3 more examples

   Then gan he all this storie to renew, And tell the course of his captivitie […]

   1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC

   1660, John Dryden, translating Virgil, (apparently from Eclogue 4), a snippet of translation used to introduce Dryden's Astræa Redux: A poem on the happy restoration and return of His Sacred Majesty Charles II The last great age, foretold by sacred rhymes, Renews its finished course; Saturnian times Roll round again.

   “A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron;[…]. Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, and from time to time squinting sideways, as usual, in the ever-renewed expectation that he might catch a glimpse of his stiff, retroussé moustache.

   1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter IX, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC

6. rareTo repeat.First known use 17ᵗʰc.

   The birds their notes renew, and bleating herds Attest their joy, that hill and valley rings.

   1667, John Milton, “Book II”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

7. intransitivetransitiveTo extend a period of loan, especially a library book that is due to be returned.

   I'd like to renew these three books.  Did you know that you can renew online?

plural renews

1. Synonym of renewal.

   Synonyms: renewal