recurrent

[ ri-kur-uhnt, -kuhr- ]

adjective

1. that recurs; occurring or appearing again, especially repeatedly or periodically.

   Synonyms: intermittent, persistent, repeated

2. Anatomy. turned back so as to run in a reverse direction, as a nerve, artery, branch, etc.

recurrent

/ rɪˈkʌrənt /

adjective

1. happening or tending to happen again or repeatedly
2. anatomy (of certain nerves, branches of vessels, etc) turning back, so as to run in the opposite direction

Derived Forms

• reˈcurrently, adverb
• reˈcurrence, noun

Other Words From

• re·current·ly adverb
• unre·current adjective
• unre·current·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of recurrent¹

1590–1600; < Latin recurrent- (stem of recurrēns ), present participle of recurrere to run back, equivalent to recurr ( ere ) ( recur ) + -ent- -ent

Example Sentences

Every protagonist in previous Johnson films have been orphans, or their parents were nonexistent, a recurrent theme in Star Wars.

From The Daily Beast

Halpern prescribes the medi-meth for patients who get recurrent urinary-tract infections—a side effect from Adderall or Ritalin.

From The Daily Beast

Tymoshenko has suffered from recurrent medical problems and appeared in Kiev in a wheelchair.

From The Daily Beast

Side effects may include recession, job contraction, 401(k) bruising, recurrent Dow fluctuation, and IRA bleeding.

From The Daily Beast

Our political life seems to have a recurrent pattern that, perhaps not surprisingly, mirrors so much of our non-political life.

From The Daily Beast

But the rest was loneliness, ever recurrent loneliness, day in and day out.

From Project Gutenberg

Without doubt he felt a glad relief in being rid of this recurrent, imperative demand.

From Project Gutenberg

The struggle between gods and nature-demons is a recurrent theme in the cosmogonies of all cultural peoples.

From Project Gutenberg

The face of this figure is dark, suggesting courage, and the bull's head should be noted as a recurrent symbol on the throne.

From Project Gutenberg

But like the theme in a fugue this loud tranquil recurrent need to Express me transcends them all.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• frequent
• intermittent
• periodic
• recurring
• repeated
• repetitive