repetition
[rep-i-tish-uh n]
- the act of repeating, or doing, saying, or writing something again; repeated action, performance, production, or presentation.
- repeated utterance; reiteration.
- something made by or resulting from repeating.
- a reproduction, copy, or replica.
- Civil Law. an action or demand for the recovery of a payment or delivery made by error or upon failure to fulfill a condition.
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Origin of repetition
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for repetition
Contemporary Examples
Kendrick rapidly chants these last lines in repetition with Bilal and Anna Wise sing-shouting behind him, like a rallying cry.
Kendrick Lamar Shuts Down ‘The Colbert Report’ with Untitled TrackCharlise Ferguson
December 17, 2014
"Nowhere to run ain't got nowhere to go," Springsteen sings before launching into the "Born in the U.S.A." chorus in repetition.
Are Politicians Too Dumb to Understand the Lyrics to ‘Born in the USA’?Parker Molloy
November 6, 2014
The repetition of that became as tastelessly titillating as showing us a torn arm or a decomposing torso.
In contrast to past beliefs, repetition may reduce the fidelity of memory representations.
Over the long run, repetition can be a false temptress, making us think we've learning something when we really haven't.
Historical Examples
We hear them read far too often and far too badly, and all repetition is anti-spiritual.
De ProfundisOscar Wilde
This repetition was in a loud voice, so that any juryman dull of hearing might catch it.
The UnderdogF. Hopkinson Smith
Magua shook his head, forbidding the repetition of offers he so much despised.
The Last of the MohicansJames Fenimore Cooper
At every repetition of the word he pressed his grandson closer to his breast.
Life And Adventures Of Martin ChuzzlewitCharles Dickens
There was no repetition of the telepathic means of communication.
repetition
- the act or an instance of repeating; reiteration
- a thing, word, action, etc, that is repeated
- a replica or copy
- civil law Scots law the recovery or repayment of money paid or received by mistake, as when the same bill has been paid twice
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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 repetition
n.
early 15c., "act of saying over again," from Old French repetition and directly from Latin repetitionem (nominative repetitio) "a repeating," noun of action from past participle stem of repetere "do or say again" (see repeat (v.)). Of actions, attested from 1590s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper