relume: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low / Archaic / PoeticLiterary, Poetic, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “relume” mean?
To light or light up again.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To light or light up again; to rekindle.
To restore light or brilliance to something that has darkened or faded; to reignite a flame, either literal or metaphorical (e.g., hope, passion).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning or usage, as the word is equally rare and literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Poetic, elevated, archaic. Might be slightly more recognized in British English due to Shakespearean usage.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use in both regions. Found almost exclusively in poetry, older literary texts, or deliberate archaic stylings.
Grammar
How to Use “relume” in a Sentence
Subject + relume + Object (the light/flame/hope)Object (The light) + be + relumed + by + agentVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “relume” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The poet sought to relume the ancient ideals in a modern context.
- He struck a match to relume the gas lamp in the hall.
American English
- She hoped the reunion would relume their old friendship.
- The ceremony aims to relume the torch of liberty each year.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, may appear in literary analysis or historical texts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “relume”
- Using it to mean 'light for the first time'.
- Using it in casual, modern contexts.
- Misspelling as 'reloom' or 'relume' (pronounced as 'loom').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare and considered archaic or literary. You will almost never hear it in everyday conversation.
It appears in Shakespeare's 'Othello' (Act V, Scene ii): 'Put out the light, and then put out the light: / If I quench thee, thou flaming minister, / I can again thy former light restore, / Should I repent me; but once put out thine, / Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature, / I know not where is that Promethean heat / That can thy light relume.'
Yes, this is its most common modern (though still rare) application. It is often used to mean reviving a feeling, memory, or period, e.g., 'relume the past' or 'relume one's passion'.
They are very close synonyms. 'Rekindle' is far more common in modern usage. 'Relume' is more specific to light (literally or metaphorically) and has a stronger poetic, archaic flavour.
To light or light up again.
Relume is usually literary, poetic, archaic in register.
Relume: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈl(j)uːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈlum/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To relume the torch of memory”
- “To relume the dying embers of hope”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'RE-' (again) + 'LUME' (from 'illuminate'). To illuminate again.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION/IDEAS ARE FIRE (to relume hope is to make the fire of hope burn again).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the use of 'relume' be MOST appropriate?