v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Recruited; p. pr. & vb. n. Recruiting. ] [ F. recruter, corrupted (under influence of recrue recruiting, recruit, from recroî/tre, p. p. recrû, to grow again) from an older recluter, properly, to patch, to mend (a garment); pref. re- + OF. clut piece, piece of cloth; cf. Icel. klūtr kerchief, E. clout. ] 1. To repair by fresh supplies, as anything wasted; to remedy lack or deficiency in; as, food recruits the flesh; fresh air and exercise recruit the spirits. [ 1913 Webster ]

Her cheeks glow the brighter, recruiting their color. Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, to restore the wasted vigor of; to renew in strength or health; to reinvigorate. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To supply with new men, as an army; to fill up or make up by enlistment; as, he recruited two regiments; the army was recruited for a campaign; also, to muster; to enlist; as, he recruited fifty men. M. Arnold. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To gain new supplies of anything wasted; to gain health, flesh, spirits, or the like; to recuperate; as, lean cattle recruit in fresh pastures. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To gain new supplies of men for military or other service; to raise or enlist new soldiers; to enlist troops. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A supply of anything wasted or exhausted; a reenforcement. [ 1913 Webster ]

The state is to have recruits to its strength, and remedies to its distempers. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Specifically, a man enlisted for service in the army; a newly enlisted soldier. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, recruits. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act or process of recruiting; especially, the enlistment of men for an army. [ 1913 Webster ]