Definition

1. Verb:

   • To wind again or back: "rewind" means to cause something (such as a tape, film, or thread) to wind backward to an earlier position or starting point.
   • To reverse the direction of: In the context of media, "rewind" refers to moving a recording or playback device backward, typically to replay a section.

2. Noun:

   • The act of rewinding: "rewind" can also refer to the action or process of winding back, especially on a tape or video player.
   • A button or control: In devices, "rewind" is the button or function used to reverse the medium.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Please rewind the cassette to the beginning of the song. (Wind the tape back to the start.)
  • He had to rewind the film after it jammed in the camera. (Wind the film backward.)

• Noun:

  • Press the rewind to go back to the previous scene. (The button that reverses the playback.)
  • The rewind of the video took only a few seconds. (The process of winding back.)

Advanced Usage

• "to rewind time": a metaphorical use meaning to go back to an earlier moment, often in thought or regret.
  • If I could rewind time, I would make a different choice. (Return to a past moment.)

Variants and Related Words

• Rewinder (n): a device or person that rewinds something.

  • The rewinder for the film broke during the movie. (The tool that winds back film.)

• Rewindable (adj): capable of being rewound.

  • This tape is not rewound; it is rewound only with a special machine. (Can be wound back.)

Synonyms

• Reverse: to move backward in direction or order.
• Wind back: to turn a handle or mechanism to return to an earlier position.

Phrasal Verbs

• Rewind to: to move back to a specific point in a recording.
  • Rewind to the part where the song starts. (Move the tape back to that exact location.)

Related Idioms

• Rewind and replay: to go back over something, often to analyze or enjoy it again.
  • Let's rewind and replay that conversation to see what went wrong. (Review the past event.)