I got this sentence from Swan's book:
I must get my jacket cleaned. I'd better have my raincoat reproofed.
I assume the word reproofed is a past participle of reproof, judging by its structure and pattern of its vowels and consonants. I've been searching this word on website, but haven't found a single mention about it. Is it really a word?
Although, it's available on some well-known dictionaries such as Collin, Cambridge, M-W, Dictionary, and Oxford, it is a noun they provide. Those dictionaries are only my best resources when I don't know the meaning of a word. Do you know what does that word mean? Is it commonly used?
Best Answer
Reproof (noun) means 'an expression of blame or disapproval'. The verb is 'reprove' (to deliver such an expression to someone).
To 'reproof' or 're-proof' a waterproof item (e.g. a tent, coat, etc) is to re-apply a waterproof coating or treatment that was previously present but which has become old or worn and no longer keeps out the rain. You can buy a can or bottle of the substance or take the item to be re-proofed to the kind of shop that does dry-cleaning. The term is commonly used.
Re-proof (The Free Dictionary)