Etymology
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reconstruction (n.)

1791, "action or process of reconstructing," noun of action to go with reconstruct. In U.S. history, usually with a capital R-, it has been used from 1865 in reference to the process (lasting until about 1870) by which the states which had seceded were restored to the rights and privileges of the Union. It had been used in the U.S. during the American Civil War in reference to the anticipated reconstitution of the Union. Hence, for a time, in American English, reconstructed "altered by Reconstruction" (1865).

Entries linking to Reconstruction

reconstruct (v.)

1768, "build anew, build again," from re- "back, again" + construct (v.). Meaning "to restore (something) mentally, construct anew in the mind again" is attested from 1862. Related: Reconstructed; reconstructing.

deconstruction (n.)

1973 as a strategy of critical analysis, in translations from French of the works of philosopher Jacques Derrida (1930-2004). The word was used in English in a literal sense from 1865 of building and architecture, "a taking to pieces," and in late 1860s sometimes as an ironic variant of Reconstruction in the U.S. political sense. Related: Deconstructionism; deconstructionist.

unreconstructed (adj.)
1867, "not reconciled to the outcome of the American Civil War," from un- (1) "not" + past participle of reconstruct (v.). See Reconstruction.

updated on May 21, 2021

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Definitions of reconstruction from WordNet
1
reconstruction (n.)
the activity of constructing something again;
reconstruction (n.)
an interpretation formed by piecing together bits of evidence;
reconstruction (n.)
recall that is hypothesized to work by storing abstract features which are then used to construct the memory during recall;
Synonyms: reconstructive memory
2
Reconstruction (n.)
the period after the American Civil War when the southern states were reorganized and reintegrated into the Union; 1865-1877;
Synonyms: Reconstruction Period
Etymologies are not definitions. From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near reconstruction

reconsecrate

reconsider

reconsideration

reconstitute

reconstruct

reconstruction

recontinue

reconvene

reconveyance

recopy

record

© 2001-2022 Douglas Harper