Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RE, adv. [RE-.]

A prefix or inseparable particle in the composition of words, denotes return, repetition, iteration. It is contracted from red, which the Latins retained in words beginning with a vowel, as in redamo, redeo, redintegro; Ar. رَدَّ radda, to return, restore, bring back, repel, to answer. Class Rd, No. 1. From the Latin or the original Celtic, the Italians, Spanish and French have their re, ra, as prefixes. In a few English words, all or most of which, I believe, we receive from the French, it has lost its appropriate signification, as in rejoice, recommend, receive.