resurrection definition

1. A rising again; the resumption of vigor.

2. Especially, the rising again from the dead; the resumption of life by the dead; as, the resurrection of Jesus Christ; the general resurrection of all the dead at the Day of Judgment. "Nor after resurrection shall he stay Longer on earth." (Milton)

3. State of being risen from the dead; future state. "In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage." (Matt. Xxii. 30)

4. The cause or exemplar of a rising from the dead. "I am the resurrection, and the life." (John xi. 25) Cross of the resurrection, a slender cross with a pennant floating from the junction of the bars.

5. <botany> Resurrection plant, a name given to several species of Selaginella (as S. Convoluta and S. Lepidophylla), flowerless plants which, when dry, close up so as to resemble a bird's nest, but revive and expand again when moistened. The name is sometimes also given to the rose of Jericho. See Rose.

Origin: F. Resurrection, L. Resurrectio, fr. Resurgere, resurrectum, to rise again; pref. Re- re- + surgere to rise. See Source.