'recapitulation' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'recapitulatio,' where 're-' meant 'again' and 'capitulum' meant 'chapter or heading.'

'recapitulatio' transformed into the French word 'recapitulation,' and eventually became the modern English word 'recapitulation' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to go over the main points again,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.