What does reinterred mean?
Reinterred means buried again, most often referring to human remains that have been exhumed, removed, or otherwise displaced and are then returned to a grave or tomb. The word has a formal, historical, and commemorative tone, appearing in accounts of archaeological discoveries, disputes over remains, reburials, and the relocation of bodies. It is the past tense and past participle of “reinter.” In everyday conversation, “reburied” or the phrase “buried again” is generally more accessible, but “reinterred” conveys the specificity and gravity of a second burial. Its clearest use is in contexts where the remains have previously been buried and are being placed in the earth again.
verbTo bury (a body or remains) again, especially after they have been exhumed or removed from a previous burial place. It can also mean to place someone in a grave or tomb again.
- To bury again, especially after exhumation or removal from a previous burial place.
"The remains were reinterred in a private ceremony nearly a century after the original burial."
"The bones were reinterred beneath the memorial after the excavation was complete."
"Following the dispute over the identity of the remains, the body was reinterred in the cemetery."
“Reinterred” gives a suitably solemn name to the act of returning remains to the earth a second time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reinterred come from?
“Reinterred” combines the prefix “re-,” meaning again, with “interred.” “Interred” comes from French “enterrer,” meaning to bury, and ultimately from Latin roots associated with putting into the earth or tomb. The prefix “re-” was added to indicate repetition. Related English words such as “inter,” “internee,” and “internal” reflect the Latin prefix “inter-,” meaning between or among, although “reinterred” belongs to the separate English formation meaning to put into the earth again.
Related word forms
How reinterred is actually used
This is a formal word, used especially in historical, legal, archaeological, and commemorative contexts. In ordinary speech, “buried again” or “reburied” is more usual.
Easily confused with reinterred
“Reburied” is the common, general term for buried again, whereas “reinterred” is a more formal or technical equivalent often used for remains placed in a grave or tomb again.
“Interred” means buried, while “reinterred” means buried again after an earlier burial.