Retry

/riˈtraɪ/ verb

Definition

To attempt something again after an initial failure or unsuccessful attempt. To make a second or subsequent effort at accomplishing a task.

Etymology

Formed from the prefix 're-' meaning 'again' combined with 'try', from Old French 'trier' meaning 'to pick out, cull'. The compound word emerged in English during the mid-20th century, particularly with the rise of computing and automated systems that could automatically reattempt failed operations.

Kelly Says

In computer science, 'retry' has become fundamental to system reliability, with sophisticated algorithms determining optimal retry intervals and maximum attempts. The concept reflects a very human trait - persistence - that has been encoded into our digital systems, making them more resilient and forgiving of temporary failures.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.