reviviscence: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/RareFormal, literary, academic
Quick answer
What does “reviviscence” mean?
The process of coming back to life or regaining strength.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process of coming back to life or regaining strength; the act of reviving.
A resurgence, renewal, or return of something after a period of inactivity or decline; often used metaphorically for ideas, movements, or feelings that re-emerge.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both variants. Slightly more likely to appear in British academic prose, particularly in historical or literary criticism.
Connotations
In both variants, carries a slightly archaic, scholarly, or poetic tone.
Frequency
Extremely low-frequency word. 'Revival' or 'resurgence' are overwhelmingly more common in all contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “reviviscence” in a Sentence
[the/this/a] reviviscence of [tradition/interest/feeling][observe/witness/experience] a reviviscence[lead to/promote] reviviscenceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reviviscence” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The poet noted a curious reviviscence of archaic forms in the modern verse.
- The garden's reviviscence after the winter rains was a joyful sight.
American English
- The paper analyzed the reviviscence of populist rhetoric in the 21st century.
- Scientists studied the microbial reviviscence in the thawing permafrost.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used. 'Resurgence' or 'recovery' are standard.
Academic
Used in humanities (history, literature, philosophy) and life sciences to describe the re-emergence of phenomena.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Can appear in biological texts describing organisms (e.g., seeds, microbes) returning to active life from a dormant state.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reviviscence”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reviviscence”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reviviscence”
- Using it in speech or informal writing. Misspelling as 'reviviscense' or 'revivicence'. Using it as a direct synonym for 'excitement' or 'vibrancy'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and used almost exclusively in formal, academic, or literary contexts. Learners should master 'revival', 'resurgence', and 'renewal' first.
'Revival' is common and can be passive or active (e.g., a revival meeting). 'Reviviscence' is rarer, more formal, and often implies a natural, almost automatic process of coming back to life, frequently used in scholarly analysis.
No. The corresponding verb is 'revive'. 'Reviviscence' is solely a noun. The related, even rarer, adjective is 'reviviscent'.
Yes, almost always. Use 'revival', 'return', 'resurgence', 'renewal', or 'rebirth' depending on the context. These are more natural and widely understood.
Reviviscence is usually formal, literary, academic in register.
Reviviscence: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːvɪˈvɪs(ə)ns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrivəˈvɪsəns/ˌrɛvəˈvɪsəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A phoenix-like reviviscence”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-VIVI-SCENCE. 'Vivi' relates to 'life' (as in 'vivid', 'vivacious'), 're-' means 'again', and '-scence' suggests a process (like 'convalescence'). So, it's the process of coming back to life.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE LIVING ORGANISMS (that can sleep and reawaken). HISTORY IS A CYCLE (of death and rebirth).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'reviviscence' MOST appropriately used?