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Webster 1913 Edition


Recant

Re-cant′

(rē̍-kănt′)
,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Recanted
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Recanting
.]
[L.
recantare
,
recantatum
, to recall, recant; pref.
re-
re- +
cantare
to sing, to sound. See 3d
Cant
,
Chant
.]
To withdraw or repudiate formally and publicly (opinions formerly expressed); to contradict, as a former declaration; to take back openly; to retract; to recall.
How soon . . . ease would
recant

Vows made in pain, as violent and void!
Milton.
Syn. – To retract; recall; revoke; abjure; disown; disavow. See
Renounce
.

Re-cant′

,
Verb.
I.
To revoke a declaration or proposition; to unsay what has been said; to retract;
as, convince me that I am wrong, and I will
recant
.
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition


Recant

RECANT'

,
Verb.
T.
[L. recanto; re and canto. See Cant.]
To retract; to recall; to contradict a former declaration.
How soon would ease recant vows made in pain, as violent as void.

RECANT'

,
Verb.
I.
To recall words; to revoke a declaration or proposition; to unsay what has been said. Convince me I am wrong, and I will recant.

Definition 2024


recant

recant

English

Verb

recant (third-person singular simple present recants, present participle recanting, simple past and past participle recanted)

  1. (transitive, intransitive) To withdraw or repudiate a statement or opinion formerly expressed, especially formally and publicly.
    Convince me that I am wrong, and I will recant.
    • Milton
      How soon [] ease would recant / Vows made in pain, as violent and void!

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