Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Recruit \Re*cruit"\, n.
   1. A supply of anything wasted or exhausted; a
      re["e]nforcement.

            The state is to have recruits to its strength, and
            remedies to its distempers.           --Burke.

   2. Specifically, a man enlisted for service in the army; a
      newly enlisted soldier.

Recruit \Re*cruit"\ (r?*kr?t"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Recruited};
   p. pr. & vb. n. {Recruiting}.] [F. recruter, corrupted (under
   influence of recrue recruiting, recruit, from recro[^i]/tre,
   p. p. recr[^u], to grow again) from an older recluter,
   properly, to patch, to mend (a garment); pref. re- + OF. clut
   piece, piece of cloth; cf. Icel. kl[=u]tr kerchief, E.
   clout.]
   1. To repair by fresh supplies, as anything wasted; to remedy
      lack or deficiency in; as, food recruits the flesh; fresh
      air and exercise recruit the spirits.

            Her cheeks glow the brighter, recruiting their
            color.                                --Glanvill.

   2. Hence, to restore the wasted vigor of; to renew in
      strength or health; to reinvigorate.

   3. To supply with new men, as an army; to fill up or make up
      by enlistment; as, he recruited two regiments; the army
      was recruited for a campaign; also, to muster; to enlist;
      as, he recruited fifty men. --M. Arnold.

Recruit \Re*cruit"\, v. i.
   1. To gain new supplies of anything wasted; to gain health,
      flesh, spirits, or the like; to recuperate; as, lean
      cattle recruit in fresh pastures.

   2. To gain new supplies of men for military or other service;
      to raise or enlist new soldiers; to enlist troops.

Source : WordNet®

recruit
     n 1: a recently enlisted soldier
     2: any new member or supporter (as in the armed forces) [syn: {enlistee}]
     v 1: register formally as a participant or member; "The party
          recruited many new members" [syn: {enroll}, {inscribe},
          {enter}, {enrol}]
     2: seek to employ; "The lab director recruited an able crew of
        assistants"
     3: cause to assemble or enlist in the military; "raise an
        army"; "recruit new soldiers" [syn: {levy}, {raise}]