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repetend

[ rep-i-tend, rep-i-tend ]
/ ˈrɛp ɪˌtɛnd, ˌrɛp ɪˈtɛnd /
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noun
Mathematics. the part of a repeating decimal that is repeated, as 1234 in 0.123412341234. …
Music. a phrase or sound that is repeated.
Prosody. a word, phrase, line or longer element that is repeated, sometimes with variation, at irregular intervals in a poem.
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Origin of repetend

1705–15; <Latin repetendum that which is to be repeated, neuter gerund of repetere to repeat
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use repetend in a sentence

  • Poe created the fifth line of his stanza for the magic of the repetend.

    The Raven|Edgar Allan Poe
  • True, America is free; but in order to establish tradition some one must be a repetend—a repeating decimal.

British Dictionary definitions for repetend

repetend
/ (ˈrɛpɪˌtɛnd, ˌrɛpɪˈtɛnd) /

noun
maths the digit or series of digits in a recurring decimal that repeats itself
anything repeated

Word Origin for repetend

C18: from Latin repetendum what is to be repeated, from repetere to repeat
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

Scientific definitions for repetend

repetend
[ rĕpĭ-tĕnd′ ]

The digit or group of digits that repeats infinitely in a repeating decimal. The repetend of the decimal form of 512 (0.4166666…) is 6.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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