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to reclassify

to reclassify

8 5.7
Put something into a different group when new information appears
  • verb
  • /ˌriːˈklæsɪfaɪ/
translation icon : reclasificar
  • Due to new evidence, the scientists must reclassify the previously thought extinct species as still present in the ecosystem.
  • reclassify an area
  • reclassified as a category
  • reclassified variables

And at the beginning of January, as soon as they heard coronavirus was circulating, they, they, those countries reclassified it as a poison.

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Examples

  • After reviewing the findings, the committee decided to reclassify the animal from endangered to critically endangered.

  • Regardless of the type of disability, students with more severe disabilities may be reclassified today.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Also of interest, there's a movement now within the field of mental health to reclassify eating disorders as food addiction.

  • In New York, the cloth is reclassified as fashion, as ethnic, as exotic.

    Academic text (1997)
  • The answer was even simpler: the FCC had to reclassify broadband providers as common carriers.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Therefore, the FCC just needs to provide an adequate explanation for reclassifying broadband providers as common carriers.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Certain amounts in the 2000 comparative information have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.

    Academic text (2001)
  • After all the data were coded, the categories were reclassified into three levels approximating levels of cognitive development.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Slightly more women in the physical activity study group were reclassified as non-binge eaters at the follow-up point.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The island's long-dormant volcano, reclassified as active, has shown considerable unrest in recent months.

Synonyms

to categorize
vsto reclassify
  • US
59 3.5

To put things or people into groups by what they have in common

refers to changing an existing group assignment rather than the first placement
to relegate
vsto reclassify
4 7.3

Put something into a certain group or class

focuses on reassigning to a different class after new information
to relabel
vsto reclassify
3 3.4

To give something a new name

changes the formal category rather than only the visible name
to recategorize
vsto reclassify
  • US
5.8

To put something into a different group

is about assigning to a different category again after review
to rerate
vsto reclassify
5.8

Give something a new score after checking it

is broader, changing overall category rather than only a numeric rating
to reassort
vsto reclassify
6.7

To sort things again into new groups or order

changes official category based on new information rather than physical sorting

Antonyms

to declassify
  • Formal
33 6.1

Remove a secret label from documents so the public can see them

How Thorough

to reorganize
43 3.4
to reclassify
8 5.7
to reassign
  • Specialized
2 4.2
review
490 3.0
to relabel
3 3.4
to adjust
317 2.7

Surface Forms

reclassify infinitive
reclassified past participle
reclassifying present participle
reclassifies third person singular

Morphology

reclassify = classify (transparent) = re + class + ify

The meaning is a straightforward instance of adding 're-' to 'classify' to mean 'classify again' or 'classify differently again'.

Etymology

Reclassify starts with re- meaning 'again' and uses class meaning 'group' or 'category', like a school class, and -ify meaning 'make'. So to reclassify is to put something into a different group or make it part of a group again, which is why we use it when items change category after new information.