Monday word: refect

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

refect (rĭ-fĕkt′), verb
To refresh, especially with food or drink; to restore after hunger or fatigue.

Etymology:  15th century, from Latin reficere, to make again (from facere, to make).

'Refect' is archaic, but it lives on in 'refectory' (a communal dining hall in a religious or academic institution; a "room of refreshment").

Comments

[med_cat]

Interesting, never seen this verb before, thanks ;)

"Refectory", of course, and "refection"

"...When he finishes refection,
Knife and fork he never lays
Cross-wise, to my recollection,
As I do, in Jesu's praise..." :P

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've seen it either. Nor "refection" outside of Browning.

---L.

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

The internet led me to one reference from Chaucer, plus this one from Sir Thomas Browne: "a man in the morning is ligher in the scale, because in sleep some pounds have perspired; and is also lighter unto himself, because he is refected".

[med_cat]

I like the quote :)

[med_cat]

Yes, not seen 'refection' anywhere else myself, either...