realignv.
/ˌriːəˈlʌɪn/, U.S. /ˌriəˈlaɪn/ 1. transitive. To align again (in various senses). Also figurative.
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the world > relative properties > order > put in (proper) order [verb (transitive)] > reduce to order > give structure to or organize > reorganize
reorganize1686
recompose1798
reformulate1869
realign1910
restructure1932
rejig1948
reorg1989
1910 Ann. Amer. Acad. Polit. & Social Sci. 36 223 It is rather to help bring about such conditions and ideals that at least the Negro may realign himself—the future will determine the issue.
1957 V. W. Turner Schism & Continuity in Afr. Society v. 131 Private intrigues provide means whereby individuals seek to realign the social structure in pursuit of their own advantage.
1967 N. S. M. Cox & M. W. Grose Organization Bibliogr. Rec. by Computer iv. 93 There is a Restructure program which realigns and copies the data base files.
1973 Computers & Humanities 7 139 The texts are realigned at the place where the match was found.
2001 G. W. Rouse & F. Pleijel Polychaetes Gloss. 298/1 Homogomph, compound chaeta with articulation that realigns the tip at a right angle to its long axis.
2. intransitive. To fall into line again; to return to previously aligned positions.
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1923 Glasgow Herald 14 Aug. 7 If France does not meet us half way, enabling the Allied front to realign, there will be a separate reply to Germany.
2002 Wall St. Jrnl. 14 Oct. a16/3 People are realigning and unaligning, the Democratic Party could split, and both parties worry about low turnout because voters are uninspired.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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