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reinforce

 - 5 dictionary results

re⋅in⋅force

  [ree-in-fawrs, -fohrs] verb, -forced, -forc⋅ing, noun
Use reinforce in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to strengthen with some added piece, support, or material: to reinforce a wall.
2. to strengthen (a military force) with additional personnel, ships, or aircraft: to reinforce a garrison.
3. to strengthen; make more forcible or effective: to reinforce efforts.
4. to augment; increase: to reinforce a supply.
5. Psychology. to strengthen the probability of (a response to a given stimulus) by giving or withholding a reward.
–noun
6. something that reinforces.
7. a metal band on the rear part of the bore of a gun, where the explosion occurs.
Also, reenforce, re-enforce.

Origin:
1590–1600; re- + inforce, alter. of enforce

Related forms:
re⋅in⋅forc⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To reinforce
re·in·force also re-en·force or re·en·force   (rē'ĭn-fôrs', -fōrs')   
tr.v.   re·in·forced also re-en·forced or re·en·forced, re·in·forc·ing also re-en·forc·ing or re·en·forc·ing, re·in·forc·es also re-en·forc·es or re·en·forc·es

  1. To give more force or effectiveness to; strengthen: The news reinforced her hopes.

  2. To strengthen (a military force) with additional personnel or equipment.

  3. To strengthen by adding extra support or material.

  4. To increase the number or amount of; augment.

  5. Psychology

    1. To reward (an experimental subject, for example) with a reinforcer subsequent to a desired response or performance.

    2. To encourage (a response) by means of a reinforcer.


[re- + inforce (variant of enforce).]
re'in·force'a·ble adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

reinforce 
1600, originally in military sense, from re- "again" + enforce (cf. re-enforce).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: re·in·force
Pronunciation: "rE-&n-'fO(&)rs, -'fo(&)rs
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -forced;-forc·ing
1 : to strengthen by additional material or support : make stronger <reinforced with vitamins>
2 : to stimulate(as an experimental animal or a student) by reinforcement; also : to encourage (a response) by reinforcement —re·in·force·able /-&-b&l/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

reinforce re·in·force (rē'ĭn-fôrs')
v. re·in·forced, re·in·forc·ing, re·in·forc·es

  1. To give more force or effectiveness to something; strengthen.

  2. To reward an individual, especially an experimental subject, with a reinforcer subsequent to a desired response or performance.

  3. To stimulate a response by means of a reinforcer.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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