definitions

recant

[ ri-kant ]
/ rɪˈkænt /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR recant ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to withdraw or disavow (a statement, opinion, etc.), especially formally; retract.

verb (used without object)

to withdraw or disavow a statement, opinion, etc., especially formally.

RELATED WORDS

about-face, denial, revocation, recall, abrogation, abjuration, contradiction, annulment, abnegation, reversal, withdrawal, nullification, repudiation, disclaimer, disavowal, volte-face, palinode

Nearby words

recalesce, recalescence, recall, recamier, recanalization, recant, recap, recapitalization, recapitalize, recapitulate, recapitulation

Origin of recant

1525–35; < Latin recantāre to sing back, sing again, equivalent to re- re- + cantāre, frequentative of canere to sing; cf. chant

Related forms

Can be confused

recant recount
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for recantation

British Dictionary definitions for recantation

recant

/ (rɪˈkænt) /

verb

to repudiate or withdraw (a former belief or statement), esp formally in public

Derived Forms

recantation (ˌriːkænˈteɪʃən), nounrecanter, noun

Word Origin for recant

C16: from Latin recantāre to sing again, from re- + cantāre to sing; see chant
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012