Dictionary

rewilder en · NOUN

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Italic *wre- Latin re-der. Old French re-bor. Middle English re- English re- English wild English rewild Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āzios Latin -āriusnom. Latin -āriusbor. Proto-Germanic *-ārijaz Proto-West Germanic *-ārī Old English -ere Middle English -ere English -er English rewilder From rewild + -er.

Meanings

1. A person who advocates the reintroduction of animals into the wild as a means of conservation.
   • In this way, the reintroduction of the black rat, as well as being justice for the rats and excellent for biodiversity, would, according to the thinking rewilder, symbolise a mystical reconnection with what is most verminous in ourselves. 2009 January 4, Catherine Bennett, “Catherine Bennett: After beavers and wolves, why not bring back the black rat?”, in The Observer, archived from the original on 04 Jan 2026:
   • His services are increasingly in demand from a new generation of rewilders, including wealthy landowners wanting to bring back beavers, as well as harvest mice, wildcats and white storks. 2020 October 13, Patrick Barkham, “How maverick rewilders are trying to turn back the tide of extinction”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 18 Feb 2026, retrieved 09 Nov 2020:

Forms

Relateds

dewilding · wilderness · wildness · rewilding