recapitulate

[ ree-kuh-pich-uh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, re·ca·pit·u·lated, re·ca·pit·u·lat·ing.

1. to review by a brief summary, as at the end of a speech or discussion; summarize.
2. Biology. (of an organism) to repeat (ancestral evolutionary stages) in its development.
3. Music. to restate (the exposition) in a sonata-form movement.

verb (used without object)

, re·ca·pit·u·lated, re·ca·pit·u·lat·ing.

1. to sum up statements or matters.

recapitulate

/ ˌriːkəˈpɪtjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. to restate the main points of (an argument, speech, etc); summarize
2. tr (of an animal) to repeat (stages of its evolutionary development) during the embryonic stages of its life
3. to repeat at some point during a piece of music (material used earlier in the same work)

Derived Forms

• ˌrecaˈpitulative, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of recapitulate¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Late Latin recapitulātus (past participle of recapitulāre ), equivalent to re- re- + capitulātus; capitulate

Word History and Origins

Origin of recapitulate¹

C16: from Late Latin recapitulāre , literally: to put back under headings; see capitulate

Synonym Study

See repeat.

Example Sentences

He had left out the feminine element; obviously he must recapitulate.

From Project Gutenberg

It will be needless here to recapitulate the tale of Rip van Winkle himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Let me, therefore, recapitulate the results of the investigations contained in this and the two preceding chapters.

From Project Gutenberg

It was his supreme ambition to recapitulate modern science, to write the De natura rerum of our age!

From Project Gutenberg

I will not recapitulate: the cases I have cited, and the conclusions drawn from them, are brought into a very narrow compass.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• recap
• rehash