v.
Pronunciation: ri- ' kl ā m
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English reclamen, from Anglo-French reclamer, from Latin reclamare to cry out, protest, from re- + clamare to cry out ― more at CLAIM
Date: 14th century
1 a : to recall from wrong or improper conduct : REFORM b : TAME , SUBDUE
2 a : to rescue from an undesirable state also : to restore to a previous natural state < reclaim mining sites> b : to make available for human use by changing natural conditions < reclaim swampland>
3 : to obtain from a waste product or by-product : RECOVER < reclaim ed plastic>
4 a : to demand or obtain the return of b : to regain possession of
synonyms see RESCUE
– re · claim · able \ - ' kl ā -m ə -b ə l \ adjective