2007-04-20 06:00:16 · 3 answers · asked by d2 7 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
FWIW, most prefixes have more than one use. So, for the prefix "re-" we have:
1. Again; anew: rebuild, renew
2. Backward; back: react, revert, retract, respect, return, reply, respond
3. Used as an intensive: refine, regard, reward.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/re-
"retire" used the second meaning (etymologically it means "draw back")
Of course, meanings 2 & 3 are what they meant in the LATIN. They are not "active" in forming new words in English, as "re-" in the sense of "again" is (which is why we know and think of that meaning, not the others)
2007-04-20 06:22:34 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Very good! Like asking if "progress" is the opposite of "Congress"
Actually, "retire" has the meaning of "withdraw" but who wants to ruin a good analogy?
2007-04-20 13:08:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like reverse, remain, redeem, refer.
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2007-04-21 07:59:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋