Definition of the word grow back

The phrase "grow back" is a common English idiom that refers to the natural process of regeneration where a living organism replaces a lost body part or tissue. The origin of this expression can be traced back to the 17th century. According to the online etymological dictionary, Etymonline, the verb "grow" in the sense of "increase gradually through natural processes" dates back to the Middle English period. The term "back" in its old sense meant "position in space" or "extent, reach." These two words were combined to form the expression "grow back" during the 17th century, around the time when writers began documenting the idea that certain parts of the human body, such as fingernails or hair, could regrow after being lost. The first known appearance of "grow back" in the English language is from a novel written in 1697 by John Dunton, entitled "The Foundling". In this book, a character states, "My nail, I hope, will quickly grow back." This use of the expression demonstrates its meaning and serves as a proof of its early existence. In summary, "grow back" has been part of the English language for at least 300 years, and it comes from the original meanings of the words "grow" and "back" that have been in use for centuries before that.