1. To render active again. 2. In particular, of an inactivated immune serum to which normal serum (complement) is added.
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re·ac·ti·vate (')rē-'ak-tə-.vāt vt, -vat·ed; -vat·ing to activate again: cause to be again active or more active: as
a) to cause (as a repressed complex) to reappear in consciousness or behavior <persecution feelings reactivated by new social failures>
b) to cause (a quiescent disease) to become active again in an individual <a herpes infection reactivated by physical and emotional stresses>
c) to restore complement to (an inactivated serum) by addition of fresh normal serum
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re·ac·ti·vate (re-akґtĭ-vāt) to make active again; especially restoration of the activity to immune serum whose activity has been destroyed.Medical dictionary. 2011.