recants
|re-cant|
/rɪˈkænt/
(recant)
withdraw statement
Etymology
'recant' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'recantare', where 're-' meant 'again' and 'cantare' meant 'to sing'.
'recant' changed from the Old French word 'recanter' and passed into Middle English before becoming the modern English word 'recant'.
Initially, it meant 'to sing again' or 'to repeat by singing', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to withdraw or renounce a previously held statement or belief'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
third-person singular present of 'recant': to withdraw or renounce a belief, statement, or previous testimony (often publicly or formally).
He recants his earlier testimony after new evidence emerged.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/12/15 23:38