verb
rectify
REHK-tuh-feye
verb
1
To correct a mistake or fix a problem.
"The company promised to rectify the billing error immediately."
"He tried to rectify his reputation after the scandal."
2
In electronics, to convert alternating current into direct current.
"A diode is used to rectify the AC signal in the circuit."
How to Use Rectify
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo fix or correct something that is wrong.
Common pairings
rectify a mistake
rectify the situation
rectify an error
Word Forms
rectified past tense, rectifies singular
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Etymology
From Medieval Latin rectificare, "to make right," from Latin rectus ("straight, right").