What does reburying mean?
Reburying means burying something again, particularly when a body or other remains have been exhumed and returned to the earth. The word is most commonly used in connection with archaeology, memorial practices, and the restoration of a disturbed grave. It can also refer more broadly to covering something with earth or another material a second time. In figurative contexts, reburying may suggest concealing or restoring something that has been exposed, often with the implication of returning it to a previous or concealed state. The form is the present participle of “rebury,” and related forms include “reburies” and “reburied.” Compared with the general word “bury,” “reburying” specifically emphasizes repetition, making it especially useful when discussing remains that have been moved, uncovered, or temporarily removed.
verbTo bury something again, especially a person or animal that has been exhumed. It can also mean to cover something with earth or another material a second time.
- To bury a person, animal, or object again after it has been exhumed or uncovered.
- To cover something with earth or another material a second time.
"The workers reburied the remains after discovering that they had been removed from their original resting place."
"The remains were reburied beneath the old oak tree."
"After the excavation, the archaeologists carefully reburied the artifacts in their original positions."
Reburying restores a burial to its former resting place, turning a second act of interment into an act of return.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reburying come from?
The word is formed from the prefix “re-” and the verb “bury,” meaning to put something in the ground or cover it with earth. The underlying verb comes from Old English “byrijan,” related to Old Norse “burða” and other Germanic forms. Its modern sense involving burial and grave interment developed over time, while the prefixed form “rebury” expresses doing that action again.
Related word forms
How reburying is actually used
“Reburying” is relatively uncommon and is most often used for a second burial of human or animal remains. In figurative use, it can describe returning something to a former place or hiding it again.
Easily confused with reburying
“Bury” means to place something in a grave or cover it with earth, whereas “reburying” means doing that act again after it has been undone or done previously.
“Burying” describes the act of burial for the first time or in general, while “reburying” specifically refers to a second burial.