What does the prefix "re-" signify?

The prefix "re-" signifies the idea of "again" or "back." This prefix is commonly used in various medical and non-medical terms to convey the notion of repetition or restoration. For instance, in the term "restart," "re-" indicates that something is being started again. Similarly, in medical terminology, "rehabilitation" suggests the process of restoring an individual’s health or abilities to a previous state. This prefix emphasizes the action of performing something a second time or returning to a prior condition, which is key to its meaning. Understanding the significance of "re-" can greatly enhance comprehension of terms in a medical context, where repeated processes or returning to a previous stage are frequent themes.