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Original · left

Rebirth

Being born again in a new body or life.

First in use: ancient / pre-modern
Duplicate · right

Respawn (gaming)

A game character reappearing after being killed.

First in use: the 1990s

Respawn / Rebirth / Respawn (gaming)

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Colour keyGrey · original meaningGreen · duplicate meaningAmber · contested (40–60%)How colours work

Reincarnation vs. coming back after you die in Quake.

Which meaning of Respawn is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Rebirth came first (ancient / pre-modern). Respawn (gaming) arrived in the 1990s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

RebirthRespawn (gaming)
English Wikipedia pageviews since July 2015 load here.

Duplicate's share of attention

Green line = duplicate's % · above 60 it owns the word · below 40 the original does

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The case for each meaning

Sourced definitions, usage stats and quotes

Original · ancient / pre-modern

Rebirth

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Duplicate · the 1990s

Respawn (gaming)

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More duplicated terms

Internet & gaming culture