c.1300, "to give back," also, "to build up again, repair," from Old French restorer, from Latin restaurare "repair, rebuild, renew," from re- "back, again" (see re-) + -staurare, as in instaurare "restore," from PIE *stau-ro-, from root *sta- "to stand, set down, make or be firm," with derivatives meaning "place or thing that is standing" (see stet). Related: Restored; restoring.