Recreate (rkrt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recreated (-td); p. pr. & vb. n. Recreating.]
Etymology: [L. recreatus, p. p. of recreate to create anew, to refresh; pref. re- re- + creare to create. See Create.]
To give fresh life to; to reanimate; to revive; especially, to refresh after wearying toil or anxiety; to relieve; to cheer; to divert; to amuse; to gratify. Painters, when they work on white grounds, place before them colors mixed with blue and green, to recreate their eyes, white wearying . . . the sight more than any. Dryden. St. John, who recreated himself with sporting with a tame partridge. Jer. Taylor. These ripe fruits recreate the nostrils with their aromatic scent. Dr. H. More.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Recreate, v. i.
To take recreation. L. Addison.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for recreate; he lists it under entertain.
Where he writes about it:
To recreate, literally to re-create, is to engage mind or body in some pleasing activity that restores strength and energy for serious work. — from entertain
We beguile a weary hour, cheer the despondent, divert the preoccupied, enliven a dull evening or company, gratify our friends' wishes, entertain, interest, please a listening audience, occupy idle time, disport ourselves when merry, recreate when worn with toil; we amuse ourselves or others with whatever pleasantly passes the time without special exertion, each according to his taste. — from entertain