recite

[ri-sahyt]

verb (used with object), re·cit·ed, re·cit·ing.

to repeat the words of, as from memory, especially in a formal manner: to recite a lesson.
to repeat (a piece of poetry or prose) before an audience, as for entertainment.
to give an account of: to recite one's adventures.

to enumerate.

verb (used without object), re·cit·ed, re·cit·ing.

to recite a lesson or part of a lesson for a teacher.
to recite or repeat something from memory.

Origin of recite

1400–50; late Middle English reciten < Latin recitāre to read aloud, equivalent to re- re- + citāre to summon, cite¹

Related formsre·cit·a·ble, adjectivere·cit·er, nounpre·re·cite, verb (used with object), pre·re·cit·ed, pre·re·cit·ing.un·re·cit·ed, adjectivewell-re·cit·ed, adjective

Synonyms for recite

3. narrate, describe. See relate. 4. count, number, detail.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for recites

declaim, repeat, communicate, perform, chant, explain, rehearse, deliver, enumerate, mention, recount, reply, utter, interpret, speak, render, expatiate, relate, describe, recapitulate

Examples from the Web for recites

Contemporary Examples of recites

"I shall consider myself Punk'd," recites a proud Ichabod in response to this unexpected lit confection.
Naked Ben Franklin Christens the Campy Return of ‘Sleepy Hollow’
Amy Zimmerman
September 23, 2014
On Wednesday mornings before mass, he recites the rosary in a special prayer of liberation from the chains of the devil.
Vatican and Pope Francis Seek New Demon Exorcists
Barbie Latza Nadeau
January 8, 2014
Camped outside the apartment, Buzdugan recites scenes from his favorite episodes, usually those in which Snooki beds a conquest.
Jersey Shore Takes Italy
Barbie Latza Nadeau
May 24, 2011
A video anchor named Erin smiles like a prom queen as she recites the table of contents.
The Daily: Rupert Murdoch's New Toy
Howard Kurtz, Brian Ries
February 2, 2011
In the video, Franco recites classic pick up lines in front of a mirror set to the sounds of some deeply thespian tunes.
Most Memorable Kisses of the Year
Shefali Kulkarni
December 30, 2010

Historical Examples of recites

And these are the sort of old wives' tales which he sings and recites to us, and we are obliged to listen to him.
Lysis
Plato
There is one blind girl who recites most perfectly and eagerly.
Out-of-Doors in the Holy Land
Henry Van Dyke
Every one recites the number of enemies whom he has conquered.
Perils and Captivity
Charlotte-Adlade [ne Picard] Dard
Such is the race of which Liszt recites the epic in the "Hungarian Rhapsodies."
The Pianolist
Gustav Kobb
Bring your dolls along and arrange your groups, while Effie recites.
Armorel of Lyonesse
Walter Besant

British Dictionary definitions for recites

recite

verb

to repeat (a poem, passage, etc) aloud from memory before an audience, teacher, etc
(tr) to give a detailed account of
(tr) to enumerate (examples, etc)

Derived Formsrecitable, adjectivereciter, noun

Word Origin for recite

C15: from Latin recitāre to cite again, from re- + citāre to summon; see cite

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

Word Origin and History for recites

recite

early 15c., from Old French reciter (12c.) and directly from Latin recitare "read aloud, read out, repeat from memory, declaim," from re- "back, again" (see re-) + citare "to summon" (see cite). Related: Recited; reciting.