Definition of the word redeem

The word "redeem" has its roots in Old English, where it was originally spelled "ráð" and pronounced "rædēm," with the same meaning it has today: to gain something back or to make up for a mistake. In Old English, "ráð" came from the word "ráðian," which meant "to advise, counsel, or help." It's related to the Old High German word "rātan," which also meant "to counsel," and the Old Norse "ráða," which meant both "to advise" and "to rescue, save." As the English language evolved, "ráð" and its variants persisted in various forms. In Middle English, for example, it was spelled "rederen" and pronounced "redēren." Eventually, it transformed into the modern English word "redeem," which came to mean both "to justify or make acceptable" and "to purchase (as a voucher) for cash." Overall, the word "redeem" speaks to our human desire to restore, correct, and enhance what has been lost or damaged. Whether we're redeeming a voucher or making amends for a past mistake, the concept of redemption speaks to our fundamental impulse to make things better, to find hope in promising possibilities, and to move forward with newfound hope and optimism.