The Meaning of Redux: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of redux? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word redux, including its definition, usage, word origin, and more!

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What does the word redux mean?

According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language and other sources like American Heritage and Collins English Dictionary, the word redux is a post-positive adjective meaning brought back, and is used esp of an artistic work. This could be used to reference a new interpretation of an existing work, such as if filmmakers took to re-editing a film that has already been released. Redux has two syllables – re-dux, and the pronunciation of redux is rē-ˈdəks.

The word redux has also been used in many different tiles of English works, including John Dryden’s Astraea Redux or Astræa Redux which is a poem about the happy restoration and return of his sacred majesty, Charles the Second, Anthony Trollope’s Phineas Redux which is a sequel to the 1867 Phineas Finn, and John Updike’s Rabbit Redux which follows character Rabbit Angstrom. The publication of the novel Rabbit Redux occurred in 1971. Francis Ford Coppola also made a movie called Apocalypse Now Redux. 

According to Definitions, There is also an episode of the television series The X-Files; the show centers on members of the FBI special agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully played by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, respectively. The episode “Redux”  is a two-part episode continuing on from the fourth season finale “Gethsemane”. In the first part of the episode, the episodes’ story follows Scully as she helps Mulder to fake his own death. They do this in an effort to discover which FBI members they can trust, before searching for an answer to Scully’s cancer. The second part of the episode “Redux II” continues immediately afterwards with Scully hospitalized as Mulder allies with the Smoking Man. This episode earned over 27 million viewers when it aired in the United States, Ireland and the United Kingdom and was the second-most-watched episode ever broadcast. It was written by series creator Chris Carter, with “Redux” directed by R. W. Goodwin and “Redux II” directed by Kim Manners. Nowadays, it can be used in works of literature, film and video game titles. It is often used in a sequence of novels in their literary titles

Many different languages also contain words that mean redux. You may notice that a translation of redux does not necessarily look similar to the word. If it did, it would be called a cognate. These cognates are often formed when two words are of a similar origin. This list of translations for the word redux is provided by Word Sense.

  • Finnish: jonkin paluu‎ (the return of sthg)
  • Portuguese: revisto‎
  • Dutch: terug van weggeweest‎
  • French: de retour‎
  • Mandarin: 回歸‎, 回归‎ (huíguī)
  • Russian: вернуться‎

What is the origin of the word redux?

According to Etymonline, the word redux comes directly from the Latin redux, meaning that which leads or brings back. This comes from the Latin reducere, which means to lead back or bring back. This was formed from the root re meaning back and the root ducere meaning to bring or lead. This is of Proto-Indo-European roots, namely deuk- meaning to lead. The word redux has been used in book titles since at least 1662 in Middle English. 

What are synonyms of the word redux?

There are many different words that mean the same things as the word redux. These are called synonyms. Synonyms are very useful to know if you are trying to avoid repeating yourself, as well as if you are working on improving your vocabulary. There are no opposite words for redux. This list of synonyms for the word redux is provided by Thesaurus

  •  repeat
  •  come around
  •  remaster
  •  remix
  •  animate
  •  recover
  •  redecorate
  •  rejuvenate
  •  revise
  •  enkindle
  •  remake
  •  please
  •  resurrect
  •  wake up
  •  quicken
  •  come to life
  •  encourage
  •  reanimate
  •  revive
  •  recondition
  •  comfort
  •  rally
  •  make whole
  •  strengthen
  •  exhilarate
  •  resuscitate
  •  renovate
  •  solace
  •  console
  •  rethink
  •  remodel
  •  breathe new life into
  •  redo
  •  arouse
  •  restore
  •  enliven
  •  brighten
  •  redesign
  •  bounce back
  •  rouse
  •  rekindle
  •  relieve
  •  gladden
  •  bring to
  •  spring up
  •  invigorate
  •  bring around
  •  energize
  •  repair
  •  inspirit
  •  revitalize
  •  refresh
  •  snap out of it
  •  cheer
  •  do over again
  •  overcome
  •  awaken
  •  revamp
  •  renew
  •  touch up

How can the word redux be used in a sentence?

The word redux can be used in many different ways in the English language. Using words in a sentence is a great way to memorize their definitions. You can also try making flashcards or quizzes for yourself to test your knowledge of English definitions. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today! Below are several examples of redux to get you started.

The musician, Duke Dandy, decided to make a 15-track bonus disc compilation album of the hit songs from his previous albums with his old music producers. He also altered some demo versions of songs that were previously not as good, and released them under the title Dandy Redux. He received positive reviews overall.

The middle-aged woman was so happy to see the redux of 1960’s fashion. She loved to see the return of bell bottoms come back into popular usage and were on trend once more.

The circus troupe marketed itself as a “circus redux” – you wouldn’t find any tamed animals or sword swallowing here, but rather highly trained athletes doing aerial work, contortion, and ground acrobatics.

They believed his symptoms were redux as a consequence of disease from being held in captivity as a POW, and started him on a course of medicine. 

Overall, the word redux means a resurgence or revival. The popularity of the word redux has come in and out of fashion, and is redux in itself!

Sources:

  1. redux: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense 
  2. redux | Origin and meaning of redux | Online Etymology Dictionary 
  3. REVIVE Synonyms: 69 Synonyms & Antonyms for REVIVE | Thesaurus 
  4. What does redux mean? | Definitions 
  5. Redux | Definition of Redux | Merriam-Webster