Meaning of remove in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /rəˈmuv/

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    UK accent Play button

  1. Verb

    remove

    Etymology

    Middle English (as a verb): from the Old French stem remov-, from Latin removere, from re-‘back’ + movere‘to move’

    Definitions

    1. remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, taking off, etc. or remove something abstract

    Examples

    • « remove a threat »
    • « remove a wrapper »
    • « Remove the dirty dishes from the table »
    • « take the gun from your pocket »
    • « This machine withdraws heat from the envir »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. remove from a position or an office

    Derived terms

  3. 3. dispose of

    Examples

    • « Get rid of these old shoes! »
    • « The company got rid of all the dead wood »

    Derived terms

  4. 4. cause to leave

    Examples

    • « The teacher took the children out of the classroom »
  5. 5. shift the position or location of, as for business, legal, educational, or military purposes

    Examples

    • « He removed his children to the countryside »
    • « Remove the troops to the forest surrounding the city »
    • « remove a case to another court »

    Derived terms

  6. 6. go away or leave

    Examples

    • « He absented himself »

    Derived terms

  7. 7. kill intentionally and with premeditation

    Examples

    • « The mafia boss ordered his enemies murdered »

    Derived terms

  8. 8. get rid of something abstract

    Examples

    • « The death of her mother removed the last obstacle to their marriage »
    • « God takes away your sins »

  9. Noun

    remove

    Definitions

    1. degree of figurative distance or separation

    Examples

    • « just one remove from madness" or "it imitates at many removes a Shakespearean tragedy; »

Famous quotes

  • « Before Huey was 5, I could take him to work with me. Now, though, he has sports and lessons and friends, and it's not fair to remove him from his whole life. »
    Marg Helgenberger
  • « I had therefore to remove knowledge, in order to make room for belief. »
    Immanuel Kant
  • « I'm terrified of bugs and I travel with sprays, lotions, potions the lot. I have to check the room before I go to sleep and if I come across a bug and fail to remove it I have to sleep in a separate room as I'm paranoid that I'll be taken advantage of as I sleep. »
    Freema Agyeman
  • « Patience and Diligence, like faith, remove mountains. »
    William Penn
  • « Until we totally change the way we elect our leaders, until we remove private money from public campaigns, lying will be the de facto method of governance in this country. »
    Peter Schuyler

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