— retrievable , adj. — retrievability , n.
/ri treev"/ , v. , retrieved, retrieving , n.
v.t.
1. to recover or regain: to retrieve the stray ball.
2. to bring back to a former and better state; restore: to retrieve one's fortunes.
3. to make amends for: to retrieve an error.
4. to make good; repair: to retrieve a loss.
5. Hunting. (of hunting dogs) to fetch (killed or wounded game).
6. to draw back or reel in (a fishing line).
7. to rescue; save.
8. (in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) to make an in-bounds return of (a shot requiring running with the hand extended).
9. Computers. to locate and read (data) from storage, as for display on a monitor.
v.i.
10. Hunting. to retrieve game.
11. to retrieve a fishing line.
n.
12. an act of retrieving; recovery.
13. the possibility of recovery.
[ 1375-1425; late ME retreven retroev-, retreuv-, tonic s. of retrouver to find again, equiv. to re- RE- + trouver to find; see TROVER ]
Syn. 1. See recover .