replenish

Everyday

1. (formal) To replenish something is to fill it up again or bring it back to the amount it was before. tree →
2. To replenish your energy is to rest, eat or drink so you feel strong again. tree →

In the lessons

A formal word from exams and science: plants replenish oxygen, rain replenishes rivers and reservoirs, shops replenish stock. Phrases: «replenish supplies», «replenish stocks», «replenish your water».

Examples

• The rain replenished the reservoir. tree →
• Drink water to replenish what you lost through sweat. tree →
• The shop replenishes its shelves each night. tree →
• The class replenished the stock of pencils. tree →
• Hikers stopped to replenish their water bottles. tree →
• The tank had 20 litres; we replenished it with 30 litres, making 50 litres. tree →
• Observing in the course of their simple repast that the wine bowl was miraculously replenished, the aged couple became convinced of the divine nature of their guests. tree →

Note

Formal; in everyday talk «fill up», «top up», «restock». In maths, replenishing means adding back, so it is addition.

In Jewish tradition

Tradition sees the Torah verse as God's blessing to Noah and his sons to start humanity again after the flood. Jeremiah's promise that God fills every pining soul is read as comfort for the weary, and Tyre's being replenished with goods shows a rich merchant city. In the primary lessons: A formal word from exams and science: plants replenish oxygen, rain replenishes rivers and reservoirs, shops replenish stock. Phrases: «replenish supplies», «replenish stocks», «replenish your water».

Examples

• And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them: 'Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth. (Torah GEN.9.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• For I have satiated the weary soul, and every pining soul have I replenished. (Prophets JER.31.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• Be still, ye inhabitants of the coast-land; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished. (Prophets ISA.23.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• The ships of Tarshish brought thee tribute for thy merchandise; so wast thou replenished, and made very heavy in the heart of the seas. (Prophets EZK.27.25, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Formal; in everyday talk «fill up», «top up», «restock». In maths, replenishing means adding back, so it is addition.

Early Modern English

Meaning

To fill the earth with people, so that it is full of living things again. tree →

Then and now

Today replenish means to fill something up again or restore a supply. The Torah sense is to fill completely with people, not to refill. The Uncle Remus sentence uses today's sense.

Examples

• And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them: 'Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth. (Torah GEN.9.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• The little boy sat perfectly quiet, betraying no impatience when Uncle Remus paused to hunt, first in one pocket and then in another, for enough crumbs of tobacco to replenish his pipe. (Uncle Remus, His Songs and His Sayings) tree →

Note

Today: fill.