from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Recruit \Re*cruit"\ (r?*kr?t"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Recruited};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Recruiting}.] [F. recruter, corrupted (under
influence of recrue recruiting, recruit, from recro[^i]/tre,
p. p. recr[^u], to grow again) from an older recluter,
properly, to patch, to mend (a garment); pref. re- + OF. clut
piece, piece of cloth; cf. Icel. kl[=u]tr kerchief, E.
clout.]
1. To repair by fresh supplies, as anything wasted; to remedy
lack or deficiency in; as, food recruits the flesh; fresh
air and exercise recruit the spirits.
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Her cheeks glow the brighter, recruiting their
color. --Glanvill.
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2. Hence, to restore the wasted vigor of; to renew in
strength or health; to reinvigorate.
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3. To supply with new men, as an army; to fill up or make up
by enlistment; as, he recruited two regiments; the army
was recruited for a campaign; also, to muster; to enlist;
as, he recruited fifty men. --M. Arnold.
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